Indian teacher Rouble Nagi has been honoured with the Global Teacher Prize 2026, often described as the “Nobel of Teaching,” receiving USD 1 million (approximately ₹9 crore) for her outstanding contribution to education. The award was presented at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, a global leadership event that brings together policymakers, educators and innovators from around the world.
Nagi stands out not just as an educator but as an artist and social activist whose creative approach to learning has had a deep impact on communities, especially in underserved and marginalized areas of India.
Her Innovative Work in Education
Rather than limiting education to traditional classrooms, Rouble Nagi uses art and creativity to make learning accessible and engaging. Through her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has:
- Established 800+ community learning centres across more than 100 underserved locations in India, providing structured learning for children who have never attended school as well as support for those already enrolled.
- Transformed abandoned walls into “Living Walls of Learning” — large murals that teach literacy, numeracy, science, hygiene, history, environmental awareness and social responsibility.
- Worked closely with communities to ensure education reaches children facing challenges like poverty, irregular attendance and lack of infrastructure.
Her programmes have helped reduce school dropout rates and enhanced long-term academic retention by making learning relevant and engaging for children.
Impact and Reach
Rouble’s work is rooted in her belief that education should meet children where they are — physically, socially and emotionally. Her model includes flexible schedules, hands-on learning using locally available materials, and vocational and digital literacy components to help students and communities build practical skills.
Over the past two decades, she has reached more than a million children through her foundation’s initiatives, training educators and building sustainable learning spaces that go beyond conventional schooling.
Use of Prize Money
With the $1 million award, Rouble Nagi plans to establish a Skilling Institute that will provide free vocational and digital training. This initiative is expected to further enhance lifelong learning opportunities for youth and adults, particularly in marginalized communities.
Global Recognition
The Global Teacher Prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO to honour educators who have made an exceptional positive impact on their communities and the field of education. Nagi is the 10th recipient of this prestigious award since its inception in 2015.
Her achievement brings global recognition to creative and community-centered education models, highlighting the importance of inclusive learning approaches around the world.
