Indian teacher who painted educational murals in slums wins Global Teacher Prize

An Indian teacher and social activist who has transformed slum walls into classrooms has won the one-million-dollar Global Teacher Prize, awarded on Thursday at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Rouble Nagi accepted the award at the annual summit, which brings together world leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe. She was recognised for her work in expanding access to education for children from marginalised communities across India.

Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has helped establish more than 800 learning centres across the country. These centres provide structured learning for children who have never attended school, as well as additional education for those already enrolled. Alongside classroom teaching, Nagi has painted educational murals across slum walls, using art to teach literacy, science, mathematics, and history.

The Global Teacher Prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation. Its founder, Sunny Varkey, who also established the GEMS Education company, praised Nagi’s impact, saying she embodied courage, creativity, and compassion, and had strengthened families and communities by bringing education to the most marginalised.

Nagi said she plans to use the prize money to build an institute offering free vocational training.

UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini said the award was a reminder that teachers matter and praised Nagi’s belief in every learner.

Nagi is the tenth recipient of the prize, which has been awarded since 2015.