Search for world's best teacher underway

Ms Jackline Jumbe, the volunteer teacher at Bofa Primary School in Kilifi County. Ms Nancy Atwell of the US beat Ms Jumbe-Kahura and eight other finalists to bag the prestigious Global Teacher Prize in Dubai on March 15, 2015. PHOTO | KAZUNGU SAMUEL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Global Teacher Prize is an annual competition open for teachers from around the world who compete for $1 million.
  • Last year, Jackline Jumbe, a volunteer teacher from Kilifi County was the only African finalist.

The chance to be the world’s best teacher and win Sh90 million is open after the United Kingdom-based Varkey Foundation commenced nominations and applications for the Global Teacher Prize.

The Global Teacher Prize is an annual competition open for teachers from around the world who compete for $1 million.

Teachers are encouraged to apply, one can also nominate teachers who they deem fit to have impacted their students positively by visiting www.globalteacherprize.org/application. However, one needs to tell the teacher they have nominated that they need to apply for the award.

Last year, Jackline Jumbe, a volunteer teacher from Kilifi County was the only African finalist. The prize was won by a teacher from the United States, Nancy Atwel.

Ms Jumbe was recognised for her work sponsoring students to further their education, as well as improving infrastructure in schools in remote areas of Kilifi, where many schools are in a poor state. At the award ceremony held in March in Dubai, Ms Jumbe said that this was one of the reasons learners from the region perform poorly in national examinations.

Eligible applicants need to be teachers who teach children that are in compulsory schooling, or are between the ages of five and eighteen. The closing date for applications is October 10, 2015.

According to the Varkey Foundation, the teacher needs to have demonstrated innovation and care, and needs to have made an inspirational impact on their students and their community

Teachers who continue to teach, even on a part-time basis, are also eligible, as are teachers of online courses. The prize is open to teachers in every kind of school and, subject to local laws, in every country in the world.