Kenyan Kiswahili teacher shortlisted for Sh100m global award
A Kenyan Kiswahili teacher has been shortlisted for one of the most high-profile awards for teachers, the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2018.
Abdikadir Ismail was shortlisted after being selected from over 30,000 nominations and applications from 173 countries around the world.
He is among 50 other teachers across the world who stand to be declared the ultimate winner, with Sh100 million ($1 million) in prize money waiting.
He teaches Kiswahili and history at Mwangaza Muslim Mixed Day School, in Maralal, Samburu County.
According to his profile, Abdikadir says that after university, he returned to teach in Baragoi, Samburu County.
The region has in recent past seen a mass exodus of teacher, with trainees filling up the gap.
Abdikadir partnered with a variety of organisations to help remedy the situation through projects to help children, including organising scholarships to keep students coming to school.
“Abdikadir has a huge passion for the use of technology in teaching and learning. As an administrator of a thoroughly under resourced school, he saw an opportunity to make a difference by using technology. One successful story has been the use of a mobile phone to record lessons,” reads his profile in part.
Abdikadir has been described as a tutor with huge passion for the use of technology in teaching and learning.
“As an administrator of a thoroughly under-resourced school, he saw an opportunity to make a difference by using technology. One successful story has been the use of a mobile phone to record lessons.”
The prize was established three years ago to recognise one exceptional teacher a year who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession, employs innovative classroom practices and encourages others to join the teaching profession.
The award is presented by the Varkey Foundation. Its founder, Sunny Varkey, established the for-profit GEMS Education company, which has more than 250 schools around the world.
The winner will be announced on March 18, 2018 in Dubai.