An Indian artist and innovator in education has been named the world's best teacher.
Rouble Nagi was presented with the $1 million Global Teacher Prize by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, at the World Governments Summit.
Ms Nagi has reached more than one million children through several projects, which provide education, foster skills development and reduce dropout rates in marginalised communities.
“The biggest achievement I have is that I have love of all the children who we work with,” she said.
“It's been a dream since I was a child to be a teacher and today to be recognised on such a, global huge platform.
“It's an honour, a dream come true. This is the blessing of all the children of God. I would say my passion is to educate each and every child in India.
“I've travelled the country in the remotest possible areas, and I have seen kids not going to school. That is something that in my growing up days, has been in my heart.
“When God gives you the opportunity to give back, you should not go back 20-fold, you should go down 200 fold.
“Every child, fingers crossed in school and education, as I said, is the way forward. That's the best gift you can give to any child, be it a girl child or a boy child in India.”
The prize is funded by the private school group GEMS Education.
Ms Nagi’s Misaal Mumbai project was India’s first slum-transformation initiative. More than 155,000 houses were painted, sanitation and waterproofing were improved, and hygiene workshops were held.
Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, her Misaal India programme provides low-cost, art-based education to children across more than 100 slums and villages, according to her entry for the award.
