Mumbai-based teacher and artist Rouble Nagi has been named the winner of the 2026 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, claiming the prestigious $1 million award.The announcement took place Thursday during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where the trophy was presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, together with Sunny Varkey, founder of GEMS Education and the Varkey Foundation.
Rouble Nagi, an art and social sciences educator, was honored for her two-decade mission to bring learning opportunities to underserved children in India’s slums and rural areas.
Through her initiatives—Misaal India and the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation—she has established over 800 community learning centers, rallied more than 600 volunteers and paid educators, and reached thousands of youngsters who are frequently left behind by conventional schooling systems.
What sets her work apart is the creative use of public spaces as classrooms. Her signature “Living Walls of Learning” project transforms neighborhood walls, lanes, and courtyards into vibrant, permanent murals that serve as open-air textbooks on subjects ranging from literacy and math to science and life skills.
These colorful installations make education accessible and visible to entire communities, fostering not just academic knowledge but also confidence, practical abilities, and a sense of possibility among children.
“This prize fuels my drive to expand even further—breaking more barriers, reaching additional children, and helping every learner not just gain access to education, but truly thrive in it,” Nagi shared in a statement reflecting on the honor.
Now marking its tenth edition, the Global Teacher Prize—administered by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO—draws tens of thousands of nominations from around the world each year.
It celebrates exceptional educators whose impact extends well beyond traditional classrooms. Rouble Nagi becomes the latest in a line of inspiring winners; last year’s recipient was Saudi Arabian teacher Mansour bin Abdullah Al-Mansour, recognized for his extensive volunteer efforts supporting orphans, prisoners, and community members.
Nagi has indicated she intends to channel the prize money toward launching an institute offering free vocational training, aiming to equip marginalized youth with skills for brighter futures.
Her victory highlights the power of creativity and determination in addressing educational inequities, shining a global spotlight on how one dedicated teacher can spark lasting change across communities.
Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.
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