Rouble Nagi, an Indian teacher and activist who has opened more than 800 community learning centres and painted educational murals in slum areas, won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize in Dubai. She plans to use the award to create a free vocational training institute. The Varkey Foundation presented the prize and UNESCO praised her work as a reminder that teachers transform lives.
Indian Activist-Teacher Rouble Nagi Wins $1M Global Teacher Prize for 800+ Learning Centres and Educational Murals
Indian teacher Rouble Nagi, left, receives the Global Teacher Prize trophy from Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, at a ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Rouble Nagi, an Indian teacher and activist who founded more than 800 community learning centres and paints large educational murals in slum neighbourhoods, won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Indian teacher Rouble Nagi poses for a photograph after receiving the Global Teacher Prize at a ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
At the ceremony, Nagi accepted the award presented by the Varkey Foundation and said she will use the prize money to establish a free vocational training institute aimed at giving underserved youth practical skills and new opportunities.
Indian teacher Rouble Nagi walks off the stage after receiving the Global Teacher Prize trophy from Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum at a ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Bringing Learning To Marginalised Communities
Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, her teams set up learning centres that provide structured lessons for children who never attended school and supplementary support for those already enrolled in formal education. Her colourful murals — painted on walls in low-income areas — are designed to teach literacy, basic science, mathematics and history in an accessible, visual way.
Indian teacher Rouble Nagi walks off the stage after receiving the Global Teacher Prize trophy from Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum at a ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Recognition And Impact
“Rouble Nagi represents the very best of what teaching can be – courage, creativity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential,”
— Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini also praised Nagi’s work, saying the award “reminds us of a simple truth: teachers matter,” and highlighting the role teachers play in helping children into school and changing life trajectories.
Indian teacher Rouble Nagi, left, greets Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum before receiving the Global Teacher Prize trophy from him at a ceremony awarding the Global Teacher Prize in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
About The Prize And Context
The Global Teacher Prize, awarded by the Varkey Foundation since 2015, recognizes a single exceptional teacher each year. Nagi is the prize’s 10th recipient. Past winners include educators from Kenya, Palestine, Canada and Saudi Arabia, each recognized for extraordinary service to disadvantaged communities.
The Varkey Foundation’s founder, Sunny Varkey, also founded GEMS Education (Global Education Management Systems), one of the world’s largest private school operators with schools across the Middle East and beyond. GEMS’ rise has paralleled Dubai’s growth, where private schools provide education for many children of foreign workers.
What’s next: Nagi has stated that the $1 million prize will fund an institute offering free vocational training and other programs to expand practical learning opportunities for young people from the communities she serves.
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