25/03/2019

Mathematics teacher wins Global Teacher Prize

Foto: Varkey Foundation

For transforming the teaching of Mathematics and Physics for students of different ethnicities and religions, in extremely precarious situations in a remote region of Kenya, Peter Tabichi, 36, was chosen as the best teacher in the world and awarded US$1 million. The Kenyan's work was recognized at the Global Education and Skills Forum, held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) this Sunday (24).

The Global Teacher Prize is awarded annually by the Varkey Foundation, a non-profit organization that recognizes teachers who have made exceptional contributions to education.

A member of the Franciscan Order, Tabichi created a talent development club and expanded the school's Science Club, helping students create research projects of such high quality that now 60% of them qualify for national competitions.

In 2018, students from Tabichi achieved first place in the public school category at the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair with their presentation of a device they invented to allow blind and deaf people to measure objects.

The Mathematical Sciences team qualified to participate in the 2019 INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Arizona (USA). The students also won an award from the Royal Society of Chemistry after using local plants to generate electricity.

The events took place at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in the village of Pwani. In addition to dealing with problems very common to teachers in critical areas in Brazil, such as drug trafficking, teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and suicide, Tabichi also has to confront the school's lack of infrastructure. Classes average 58 students, there are few textbooks, and only one computer with a very poor quality internet connection.

To support education, Tabichi donates 80% of his salary to students, who, without his help, would not be able to afford the costs of uniforms and school supplies.

“For teachers, the biggest challenge is precisely dealing with the lack of teachers, which ends up causing an overload of work. And, for the children, it is very difficult to maintain concentration, since they come from families with a very low income,” Tabichi told G1.

By making students believe in themselves, Tabichi improved their performance and self-esteem. Enrollment doubled to 400 in three years. Disciplinary incidents dropped from 30 per week to just three. In 2017, only 16 of the 59 students went on to college. In 2018, that number rose to 26. The performance of the girls, in particular, was boosted. Today, they lead the boys in all four tests set last year.

Foto: Varkey Foundation

The award

“Every day, on our continent, we turn a new page. And today we write a new one. This award is not a recognition of me, but of the young people of this great continent that is Africa. The Global Teacher Prize tells them that they can do anything. The day is young, and there is a new page to be written. It is Africa's time,” said the Kenyan as he took the stage.

With the victory, Tabichi surpassed approximately 10,000 nominations from 179 countries. In the final, he competed against nine other candidates, including Brazilian teacher Débora Garofalo, who teaches robotics at the Ary Parreiras School in the outskirts of São Paulo.