Kenyan teacher Peter Mokaya Tabichi has won the prestigious 2019 Global Teacher Prize bagging Ksh100 million.
The Mathematics and Physics teacher at Keriko Secondary School in Nakuru is the first African to win the prize.
He was among top 10 finalists for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated Tabichi the teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School for winning the 2019 Global Teacher Prize.
"The President lauded Mr. Tabichi's commitment to transform the lives of many pupils in a remote part of the country," a statement by State House stated.
In a past interview, the teacher indicated that he was in disbelief when he was called and informed about being among the finalists adding that 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.
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.
The Egerton University graduate and a teacher for 12 years stated, "The challenge has been to persuade the local community to recognise the value of education, visiting families whose children are at risk of dropping out of school".
“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,” he remarked.
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