The honour goes to Peter Tabichi, a science teacher from rural Kenya.
Peter, a member of the Franciscan religious order, has just won the 2019 Global Teacher Prize. He takes home US$1 million (RM4.07 million) in prize money.
Brother Peter, 36, gives away most of his salary to support poorer pupils, and has received praises for his achievements in a deprived school with crowded classes and few text books.
The award was announced in a ceremony in Dubai. It recognises the “exceptional” teacher’s commitment to pupils in a remote part of Kenya’s Rift Valley.
He gives away 80% of his pay to support pupils, at the Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, Nakuru, who otherwise could not afford uniforms or books, reports BBC.
Many of his students are orphaned or have lost a parent.
In his words…
“It’s not all about money.
“As a teacher working on the front line I have seen the promise of its young people – their curiosity, talent, their intelligence, their belief.
“Africa’s young people will no longer be held back by low expectations. Africa will produce scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs whose names will be one day famous in every corner of the world. And girls will be a huge part of this story.”
The award, in a competition run by the Varkey Foundation, has seen him beating 10,000 other nominations from 179 countries.
He is a Franciscan friar, a member of the Catholic religious order founded by St Francis of Assisi in the 13th Century.
