Kenyan becomes first African to win Global Teacher Prize

• Posted on March 25, 2019
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

A Kenyan Science teacher, Peter Tabichi, on Sunday won the 2019 Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize, as recognition for turning lives around in a school with only one computer, poor internet and a student ratio of 58:1.

Winning a $1 million prize, Tabichi will also serve as a global ambassador for the Varkey Foundation, attending public events and speaking in public forums about improving the prestige of the teaching profession.

Our journalist, Jerry Bambi, who hosts the Morning Call, attended the live red carpet gala event in Dubai where all ten finalists for the prize were invited and the winner announced.

Bambi says Tabichi was called up to the stage, amidst loud chants of Kenya and Africa all over the auditorium.

‘‘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 in his acceptance speech.

‘‘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.’‘

Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta described Tabichi as a ‘ a shining example of what the human spirit can achieve’.

‘‘Peter – your story is the story of Africa, a young continent bursting with talent. Your students have shown that they can compete amongst the best in the world in science, technology and all fields of human endeavour,’‘ Kenyatta said via video conference.