Kenyan Educator Peter Tabichi wins US $1 Million Global Teacher Prize 2019

Today, one teacher has been awarded a recognition of a lifetime, out of the ten finalist across the world.

A Kenyan Peter Tabichi, 36, a Maths and Physics teacher at Keriko Secondary School, Pwani Village, Nakuru, Kenya, has won the prestigious award and the attached prize money worth One million dollars.

He was named by Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2019, awarded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

"Every day in Africa we turn a new page and a new chapter.

Today is another day. This prize does not recognise me but recognises this great continent's young people. I am only here because of what my students have achieved. This prize gives them a chance. It tells the world that they can do anything", Tabichi said.

"As a teacher working on the front line I have seen the promise of its young people - their curiosity, talent, their intelligence, their belief. Africa's young people will no longer be held back by low expectations.

Africa will produce scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs whose names will be one day famous in every corner of the world. And girls will be a huge part of this story", Peter said.

The glittering award ceremony was hosted by Hollywood star actor, singer, and producer Hugh Jackman, who performed songs from musical film The Greatest Showman, including The Greatest Show and Come Alive, before announcing the winner.

"It takes one teacher to bring you back to life," he said between song and dance performances.

In a special congratulatory video message broadcast into the ceremony hall, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, congratulated Mr. Peter.

"Mr Peter Tabichi - on behalf of all Kenyans - let me congratulate you for winning the Global Teacher Prize this year. You are a shining example of what the human spirit can achieve - not just for Kenya - not just for Africa - but for the world.

Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, said that everybody in classrooms throughout the world teachers light the spark of curiosity.

"I want to congratulate Peter Tabichi for winning the Global Teacher Prize 2019. I hope Peter's story will encourage others to enter the teaching profession and shine a spotlight on the truly inspiring work teachers do to make tomorrow brighter than today."

Now in its fifth year, the US $1 million award is the largest prize of its kind, and was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society.

Mr Peter gives away 80% of his monthly income to help the poor. His dedication, hard work and passionate belief in his students' talent has led his poorly-resourced school in remote rural Kenya to emerge victorious after taking on the country's best schools in national science competitions.

Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, where Mr Peter teachers, is situated in a remote, semi-arid part of Kenya's Rift Valley.

There, students from a host of diverse cultures and religions learn in poorly equipped classrooms.

Their lives can be tough in a region where drought and famine are frequent. 95 percent of pupils hail from poor families, almost a third are orphans or have only one parent, and many go without food at home.

Drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, dropping out early from school, young marriages and suicide are common.

Turning lives around in a school with only one computer, poor internet, and a student-teacher ratio of 58:1, is no easy task, not least when to reach the school, students must walk 7km along roads that become impassable in the rainy season.