UK-based Varkey Foundation on Thursday announced that two Indian teachers have been shortlisted among the top 50 from around the world for the annual $1-million Global Teacher Prize. Arti Qanungo, an English teacher at Government Girls Senior Secondary School at Shakarpur in Delhi, and Swaroop Rawal, a Life Skills teacher at Lavad Primary School in Gujarat, are among the top 50 to compete for the prestigious award to be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai in March.
Qanungo has been recognized for her efforts to ensure protection of children, particularly girls of poor backgrounds from abuse and neglect. “Global Teacher Prize acknowledges the efforts and endeavour of teachers and respects them; it gives recognition to the issues i have raised by giving it a global voice,” she said.
On the other hand, Rawal, has reached out to children on the streets and in rural communities with unique teaching methods. She made it to the top 50 for her use of drama in education – an active, learner-centred method, which includes group discussion, brainstorming, debate, games, song, and drawing.
“Good teachers can help children become good human beings. They can nurture love, wonder, curiosity and imagination. When we teachers share our lives, we can inspire young ones to become more empathetic, loving, caring and perhaps become more responsible beings,” Rawal said.
Global Teacher Prize 2019 got over 10,000 nominations and applications from 179 countries around the world. The Prize was set up five years ago by the Varkey Foundation to give the award to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.
“Congratulations to Arti and Swaroop for reaching the final 50. I hope their stories inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and highlights the incredible work teachers do all over the world every day,” said Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation and the Global Teacher Prize.
“The Global Teacher Prize, since its launch five years ago, has now inspired over 30 national teacher prizes, which means our ultimate goal of shining a light on great teachers has grown strong national roots, something which is crucial if we’re to return teachers to their rightful position as one of the most respected professions in society,” he said.
A Prize Committee will now select top 10 finalists, results of which will be announced in February 2019. The winner will then be chosen from among the 10 finalists by the Global Teacher Prize Academy. All 10 finalists will be invited to Dubai for the Awards ceremony at the Global Education and Skills Forum on March 24, 2019.