Indian Educator Rouble Nagi Honored with $1M Global Teacher Prize for Slum Transformation Work
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rouble Nagi, an Indian educator and social activist whose foundation has transformed slum walls into vibrant classrooms and established hundreds of learning centers, was named the 2024 Global Teacher Prize winner on Thursday. The $1 million award was presented during the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Nagi’s Rouble Nagi Art Foundation has created more than 800 non-formal learning spaces across India, targeting both out-of-school children and those in need of supplemental education. Her distinctive approach combines structured literacy and numeracy lessons with large-scale murals that visually teach subjects from science to history on the very walls of disadvantaged neighborhoods.
"This recognition isn’t just for me—it’s for every volunteer and community that believed walls could talk and lessons could thrive without a roof," Nagi said after accepting the prize. She announced plans to channel the award money into establishing a free vocational training institute, aiming to scale her impact beyond primary education.
The Varkey Foundation, which awards the prize, cited Nagi’s "innovative fusion of art and pedagogy" and her success in reaching children excluded from formal systems. Now in its tenth year, the Global Teacher Prize has previously honored educators from Kenya, Palestine, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, spotlighting often-overlooked grassroots teaching efforts worldwide.
The ceremony took place against the backdrop of Dubai’s expansive private education sector, led by organizations like GEMS Education—founded by Varkey Foundation creator Sunny Varkey. GEMS operates dozens of schools across the Middle East and has grown alongside the region’s demand for private schooling.
Voices & Reactions
Dr. Anika Mehta, Education Sociologist, University of Delhi: "Nagi’s work demonstrates that infrastructure limitations need not be learning barriers. Her model shows how community-owned educational art can foster engagement where traditional methods sometimes fail."
Rajiv Sinha, Former School Principal, Kolkata: "While awards bring visibility, sustained change requires policy support. I hope this prize pressures state governments to formally integrate such community-led initiatives into their education frameworks."
Priya Sharma, Parent and NGO Volunteer, Mumbai: "Finally! Someone who actually goes into the mud and works gets recognized. So many education awards go to elite school teachers—this feels real, it’s for the forgotten corners of our country."
Arjun Patel, Political Commentator: "A million dollars is a slap in the face to systemic failure. Why must heroes like Nagi fill gaps the government abandons? This prize celebrates her brilliance but also highlights the state’s disgraceful neglect of public education."