A Kenyan teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani village, Nakuru, is among top 10 finalists for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2019.
The teacher, Peter Tabichi, claims he was in disbelief when he was called and informed about being among the finalists.
The Mathematics and Physics teacher states that he was trying his luck when he applied for the competition in 2018.
“It is unbelievable, God-given and a great honour,” Tabichi stated.
“I am aiming at gaining experience on technology and modern teaching methods, I did not expect to win or emerge anywhere among the 10 finalists,” Tabichi narrated.
“I got a call around 3am. I was shocked, I couldn’t go back to sleep. When I tried preparing my breakfast, I was shaking but I later composed myself, I feel appreciated,” he added.
The Egerton University graduate has been a teacher for 12 years.
“I thought I would make a real difference," Tabichi told Daily Nation.
The Varkey Foundation website commended the teacher for his hard work and dedication.
“His dedication, hard work and passionate belief in his student’s talent has led his poorly-resourced school in remote rural Kenya to emerge victorious after taking the Country’s best schools in national science competitions,” wrote the website.
The foundation added the teacher had turned lives around in a school with only one computer, poor internet and a student-teacher ratio of 58:1
