Peter Tabichi, the Kenyan teacher who won Ksh100 million in the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2019, plans to treat his students and change his society with the money.
The Mathematics and Physics teacher at Keriko Secondary School in Nakuru is the first African to win the prize after turning around lives around his school with only one computer, poor internet and a student-teacher ratio of 58: 1.
He has included his school, local community and needy students in how he plans to spend his found fortune.
Tabichi plans to build a computer laboratory at his school, which is situated at the remote parts of Lare in Njoro, Nakuru County.
He also plans to come up with an agricultural project, which will sponsor bright and needy children as well as start programmes to motivate fellow teachers.
Reports by The Standard indicate his main focus is to empower the poor leaving in rural areas through education, sustainable education and peacebuilding.
"It was almost unbelievable; it almost sounded like a dream when my name was called out as the winner. It's all God's doing," Tabichi stated.
The students also received the news with pleasure.
"Who can beat his generosity? I always prayed for him, I knew the money was his when we were told of the competition," Sharon Mukua, a form four student told the publication.
Other reports also indicate that the teacher had promised them a bus.
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.
