Feb 05, 2026: An Indian teacher and social activist recognised for establishing hundreds of learning centres and transforming slum walls into educational murals has won the prestigious $1 million Global Teacher Prize. Reported by NDTV.
Rouble Nagi accepted the award at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates — an annual gathering that brings together leaders from around the world.
Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has set up more than 800 learning centres across India. These centres focus on providing structured education to children who have never attended school, while also supporting those already enrolled in formal education.
In addition to classroom initiatives, Nagi paints murals across underprivileged communities that teach literacy, science, mathematics, history and other subjects, turning public spaces into open-air classrooms.
The Global Teacher Prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation, founded by Sunny Varkey, who also established the for-profit GEMS Education company, which operates dozens of schools across Egypt, Qatar and the UAE.
"Rouble Nagi represents the very best of what teaching can be - courage, creativity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in every child's potential," Varkey said in a statement posted to the Global Teacher Prize website. "By bringing education to the most marginalised communities, she has not only changed individual lives, but strengthened families and communities."
Nagi has announced plans to use the $1 million prize money to build an institute offering free vocational training.
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, praised Nagi’s achievement, saying her recognition "reminds us of a simple truth: teachers matter."
In remarks shared on the prize website, Giannini added UNESCO was "honoured to join the Global Teacher Prize in celebrating teachers like you, who, through patience, determination, and belief in every learner, help children into school - an act that can change the course of a life."
Nagi becomes the 10th recipient of the Global Teacher Prize since its inception in 2015.
Previous winners have included a Kenyan teacher who donated much of his salary to support poor students, a Palestinian primary school teacher promoting non-violence education, and a Canadian educator teaching Inuit students in a remote Arctic village. Last year’s award went to Saudi educator Mansour al-Mansour for his work with disadvantaged communities.
GEMS Education, or Global Education Management Systems, is one of the world’s largest private school operators and is valued in the billions.
Its growth has paralleled Dubai’s rapid development, where private schools primarily serve the expatriate population that drives the city’s economy.
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