Peter Tabichi won this year’s Global Teacher prize at the Global Education Skills Forum. He is the first African teacher to win this prize. This award esteems the teaching profession, encourages best practices and affirms the nobility of the profession.
Global Teacher Prize Background
The Varkey Foundation is a a family foundation established to improve standards of education and raise the status and capacity of teachers throughout the world. It was founded by education entrepreneur, Sunny Varkey to ensure that every child gets a good education, by having a good teacher.
The US $1 million award presented annually to exceptional teachers who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession. The Global Teacher Prize has been running since 2015, focusing on four principles: Innovation, Evidence, Influence and Action.
Facts about Peter Tabichi:
- Peter Tabichi is is the first African teacher, and the 5th winner of the Global Teacher Prize.
- Peter teaches at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, situated in a remote, semi-arid part of Kenya’s Rift Valley.
- He is a Physics and Math teacher,
- He gives 80% of his teaching salary to local community projects, including education, sustainable agriculture and peace-building.
- Peter Tabichi is a Franciscan Brother, he decided to dedicate his life to serving the community.
- He comes from a family of teachers. His father was a teacher.
- Peter uses ICT in 80% of his lessons to engage students, visiting internet cafes and caching online content to be used offline in class.
- His students outperform other students from better equipped schools.
- Of the 1 Million dollars he has won, he plans to set up a computer lab in his school.
- He started a talent nurturing club and expanded the school’s Science Club, helping pupils design research projects of such quality that 60% now qualify for national competitions.
- He was even recognized by our president, who committed to donate Ksh.20 million to Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School for the expansion of infrastructure and to encourage students to undertake science subjects.
We commend his efforts of improving access to under-served children as this is at the core of our mission. Every child has a right to quality education despite their socioeconomic status.