Dubai, UAE – Indian educator and social activist Rubal Nagi has been awarded the prestigious $1 million Global Teacher Prize for her outstanding contributions to education and community development. The announcement was made during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, which was attended by leaders from across the globe, according to the Associated Press.
Transforming Education Across India
Under the Rubal Nagi Art Foundation, she has established more than 800 educational centers across India. These centers provide structured education to children who have never attended school, while also supporting school-going students to enhance their learning.
Nagi has also created educational murals on the walls of slums, teaching children literacy, science, mathematics, history, and other subjects through creative visual displays.
Recognition by the Varkey Foundation
The Global Teacher Prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation, founded by Sunny Varkey, who also established the profit-based educational network GEMS Education, operating dozens of schools in countries including Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE.
Sunny Varkey praised Rubal Nagi, stating:
“Rubal Nagi is a shining example of teaching excellence, combining courage, creativity, empathy, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential. By bringing education to the most underserved communities, she has transformed not only individual lives but entire families and communities.”
Plans for the Prize Money
Rubal Nagi revealed that she intends to use the prize money to establish an institution offering free professional training for teachers, furthering her mission to enhance educational opportunities for marginalized communities.
Global Significance
UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, said the award “reminds us of the universal importance of teachers in shaping the future of children and societies.”
Rubal Nagi is the tenth teacher to receive the Global Teacher Prize since its inception in 2015. Previous recipients include educators from remote villages in Kenya, primary schools in Palestine, Canada, and most recently, Saudi Arabia’s Mansour Al-Mansour, all recognized for their exceptional contribution to education and community development.