Indian teacher and social activist Rouble Nagi has won the prestigious Global Teacher Prize, earning international recognition for transforming education access among children living in urban slums. The award was presented in Dubai on February 5, honouring her efforts to bring structured learning to children who had never attended school and to support those at risk of dropping out.
Innovative Learning Through Murals And Centres
Rouble Nagi has pioneered an unconventional yet impactful approach to education by setting up over 800 learning centres across India. Alongside these centres, she has painted educational murals in slum settlements, turning walls into classrooms. These murals cover literacy, mathematics, science, and history, making learning visually engaging and accessible to children from underserved communities.
Grassroots Teaching And Teacher Mentorship
Nagi travels extensively to work directly with children at these centres and mentors the teachers who manage daily instruction. She has recruited and trained more than 600 volunteer and paid educators. Her teaching model adapts to the realities of poverty, child labour, early marriage, and irregular attendance by offering flexible schedules, practical lessons using recycled materials, and skill-based learning relevant to family livelihoods.
Global Teacher Prize And Future Plans
Rouble Nagi is the 10th recipient of the Global Teacher Prize, which was launched in 2015 to recognise exceptional educators worldwide. The award carries a prize money of $1 million, which Nagi plans to use to establish an institute providing free vocational training for students, extending her impact beyond foundational education.
Important Facts
- The Global Teacher Prize was launched in 2015.
- The award carries a prize money of $1 million.
- It recognises innovative teaching and social impact in education.
- Past winners include educators from Kenya, Palestine, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.
Recognition Of Inclusive Education Efforts
Previous winners of the Global Teacher Prize include teachers working with marginalised and remote communities worldwide. Nagi’s selection highlights India’s grassroots education initiatives and reinforces the global importance of inclusive, community-based learning models that address social and economic barriers to education.