Dubai: Indian educator and social reformer Rouble Nagi has brought global recognition to India by winning the prestigious Global Teacher Prize 2026, carrying a cash award of US $1 million, at the World Governments Summit held in Dubai. The award, often described as the “Nobel Prize for Teaching,” honours educators who have made an extraordinary impact on education and society.
Rouble Nagi becomes the tenth recipient of the Global Teacher Prize since its inception in 2015. The prize is awarded annually by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO and GEMS Education, recognizing teachers who demonstrate exceptional innovation, dedication, and leadership in transforming lives through education.
Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has established more than 800 learning centres across various parts of India, particularly in urban slums and underprivileged communities. These centres provide structured education to children who have never attended school, while also offering supplementary learning support to students already enrolled in formal education systems. Over the years, her initiatives have reached more than one million children, many of whom were previously excluded from basic learning opportunities.
What sets Nagi’s work apart is her innovative use of art as a teaching tool. She has created large-scale educational murals on public walls, transforming neglected spaces into open-air classrooms. These murals visually teach subjects such as literacy, mathematics, science, history, environmental awareness, and civic responsibility, making learning accessible and engaging for children who lack traditional classroom infrastructure.
Speaking after receiving the award, Rouble Nagi described the moment as a matter of pride not only for herself but for the entire country. She recalled beginning her journey 24 years ago in a small workshop with just 30 children, driven by a childhood dream that every child should go to school. Seeing that dream translate into real-world impact across the country, she said, has been a deeply humbling experience.
Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, praised Nagi as a powerful example of teaching excellence, highlighting her courage, creativity, compassion, and unwavering faith in the potential of every child. He noted that by taking education to the most marginalized communities, she has not only transformed individual lives but also strengthened families and contributed meaningfully to society at large.
Looking ahead, Nagi has announced plans to use the prize money to establish an institution that will offer free vocational and skill-based training, aimed at empowering youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and improving their employment prospects. Her vision, she said, is to bridge the gap between education and livelihood, ensuring dignity and self-reliance for the next generation.
Rouble Nagi now joins a distinguished list of past Global Teacher Prize winners, including educators from Kenya, Palestine, and Canada, whose work has redefined the role of teachers as agents of social change. Her achievement stands as a testament to the power of education, innovation, and compassion in shaping a more inclusive and equitable world.