Peter Tabichi was presented with the award by Sheikh Hamdan and Hugh Jackman…

Maths and physics teacher Peter Tabichi from Kenya has been crowned the winner of the Global Teacher Prize award in Dubai.

Tabichi was crowned in a glittering ceremony at Atlantis, The Palm attended by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and actor Hugh Jackman.

The outstanding teacher won the prize money award of of $1 million (Dhs3.7 million) for his extraordinary work at his local school.

Sheikh Hamdan took to Twitter to further congratulate Tabichi, saying that “the lack of resources at his school was never an obstacle in the face of his creativity. We believe that teachers are the creators of needed change.”

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The 36-year old teacher was nominated in part for donating 80 per cent of his monthly salary to helping the poor of his home country.

Upon receiving the title, Tabichi said he was “pleased, honoured and humbled” at winning the prestigious title, and added that the award reflects the achievements of Africa’s youth.

“Every day in Africa we turn a new page and a new chapter,” he said. “This prize does not recognise me but recognises this great continent’s young people.

“I am only here because of what my students have achieved. This prize gives them a chance. It tells the world that they can do anything.”

The annual award by the Varkey Foundation honours teachers who have contributed immensely to their community despite the many obstacles that stand in their way, and crowns one winner among them the best teacher in the world.

Tabichi was praised by officials for his work at the school, and his one-on-one tuition sessions at pupils’ homes during the weekends.

A teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, in Kenya’s Rift Valley, the school currently has a ratio of one teacher to every 58 pupils, and only one computer.

Last year’s $1 million award was bagged by UK arts and textiles teacher, Andria Zafirakou, who went out of her way to help students who come from the poorest families in Britain.

This year’s finalists are from India, Australia, the US, Kenya, Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, Argentina, the UK and Georgia. They were selected from over 10,000 nominations and applications from 179 countries around the world.

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