Teachers in Kenya have an opportunity to win US$ 1mn if they demonstrate outstanding contribution to the profession.
However, they will have to content with their colleagues from across the globe who will be competing in the one million dollar Varkey GEMS Foundation Global Teacher Prize competition whose patron is former US President Bill Clinton.
The Varkey GEMS Foundation Global Teacher Prize initiative is the equivalent of the ‘Nobel Prize.’
It is the largest prize offered to teachers worldwide and seeks to raise the status of the profession as well as encourage future generations to become educators and improve the way they teach.
“Attracting the best people to teaching, developing and supporting their skills, and holding our teachers in high regard — all are critically important to achieve excellence, both in teaching and learning,” said Mr. Clinton.
The winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai March 2015. Initial applications will be judged by a prize committee in November to shortlist 10 candidates who will then vie for the prize money in December 2014.
The final closing date for nominations and application is October 5th 2014.
The winner will be paid the prize money in equal installments over a period of 10 years, with the Varkey GEMS Foundation providing financial counseling.
The winner will not only serve as a global ambassador for the Foundation, attending public speaking forums about improving the prestige of the profession, they will be expected to remains as a classroom teacher for at least five years.
According to the organisers, head teachers with teaching responsibilities are also eligible to apply.
The public can nominate a teacher, or teachers can apply themselves by filling an application form at globalteacherprize.org. Once nominated, the teacher will made aware and asked to apply at http://www.globalteacherprize.org/#apply
To join the conversation online follow #TeacherPrize on: https://twitter.com/TeacherPrize and https://www.facebook.com/teacherprize
Locally, the Governor, Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa, Christopher Khaemba will be the Kenyan representative in the judging academy.
