Rouble Nagi was announced as the winner of the 2026 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai; Over past two decades, she has established over 800 learning centres across over 100 slums and villages in India, converting abandoned walls into interactive murals that have helped bring over million children into formal education; Prize money to be used to build a Skilling Institute offering free vocational and digital literacy training
New Delhi/ Dubai, Feb 6 (JKNS): Indian teacher Rouble Nagi, who transforms neglected and broken walls into large-scale, interactive murals that teach everything from literacy and numeracy to hygiene and environmental awareness, has made History by being the recipient of the $1 million GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026, an initiative of the Varkey Foundation, organised in collaboration with UNESCO. Now in its tenth year, GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize is the largest award of its kind.
Expressing her deep gratitude at the outset, Rouble Nagi thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum, Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher Prize, GEMS Education, and The Varkey Foundation, UNESCO and the distinguished jury for recognising grassroots work rooted in education, compassion, consistency, and service, stating that this honour strengthens her resolve to continue working towards quality education for children.
The award was presented by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE in the presence of Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation. Supported by UNESCO, the Global Teacher Prize is globally recognised as one of the most prestigious honours in the field of education.
Rouble Nagi’s journey began over a decade ago in the slums of Mumbai with a hands-on commitment to uplifting marginalized communities, working directly with families in fragile environments to bridge the gap between the margins and the mainstream. What started as a small, deeply personal effort grew steadily into a nationwide movement. Walking alongside communities, listening to their stories, and refusing to accept inequality as destiny, she expanded her work from Mumbai to villages and urban slums across India.
Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher Prize, GEMS Education, and The Varkey Foundation, said, “Rouble Nagi represents the very best of what teaching can be – courage, creativity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential. By bringing education to the most marginalised communities, she has not only changed individual lives, but strengthened families and communities. Her work reminds us that teachers are the most powerful force for progress in our world.”
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, said, “Congratulations, Rouble. This moment reminds us of a simple truth: teachers matter. UNESCO is honoured to join the Global Teacher Prize in celebrating teachers like you, who, through patience, determination, and belief in every learner, help children into school – an act that can change the course of a life. It affirms the right to learn, to dream, and to build a future with possibility.”
Through her initiative, Misaal India, Rouble Nagi established education centres that bring learning to the doorstep of underserved communities, alongside skill centres that empower women to become financially independent and emerge as village entrepreneurs. Each centre reflects dignity, confidence, and the quiet power of opportunity.
A defining hallmark of her work is the use of art as a tool for learning, transforming classrooms into spaces of expression, imagination, and healing. By integrating art into education, she enables children to grasp concepts more deeply, overcome fear, and rediscover creativity and self-worth.
Her vision has been deeply shaped by the work of Savitribai Phule, whose pioneering work in education for the marginalised continues to guide her path. When Rouble Nagi began her journey two decades ago, these ideals gave her clarity and courage. She continues to follow the same principle today: empowerment through education for all, without discrimination.
Her journey and learnings are chronicled in her book, which reflects how one initiative, rooted in purpose, can touch multiple thematic areas: education, women empowerment, livelihoods, dignity, sanitation, and social inclusion. These efforts closely align with national priorities and the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat, demonstrating how grassroots action can meaningfully contribute to holistic nation-building.
Upon receiving the honour, Rouble Nagi dedicated the award to all children, stating that the recognition belongs to every child whose dreams deserve opportunity and care. She also dedicated the award to the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, affirming her belief that education-led empowerment is central to building a developed, inclusive, and self-reliant India.
She shared that her work draws inspiration from the leadership and vision of PM Narendra Modi, particularly the emphasis on grassroots empowerment and inclusive development, as well as from Nelson Mandela, whose life exemplifies courage, resilience, and compassion.
Reflecting on her journey, the artist and educator reiterated her belief that destiny has a way of finding you, and when passion and purpose align, they have the power to create extraordinary change.
This landmark achievement stands as a moment of immense national pride, celebrating not just an individual’s success, but the enduring power of education, empathy, and service-led leadership to transform India from the grassroots up.
The Varkey Foundation believes every child deserves a vibrant, stimulating learning environment that awakens and supports their full potential. The foundation believes nothing is more important to achieving this than the passion and quality of teachers. They support global teaching capacity and seed excellence and innovation in the next generation of educators. They also founded the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize to shine a spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over the world.
GEMS Education is one of the world’s leading private K-12 education providers, educating more than 200,000 students from 176+ nationalities across its global network of owned and managed schools. With nearly half a million alumni, GEMS has built a legacy of impact that spans generations and continents. Established in Dubai in 1959, GEMS remains a family-founded and family-led organization, guided by its visionary Founder Sunny Varkey, and his sons Dino Varkey (Group CEO) and Jay Varkey (Deputy CEO). With a focus on delivering high-quality education to students from all walks of life, GEMS offers a wide range of curricula and learning pathways. Each year, GEMS students graduate into the world’s top universities, including all eight Ivy League institutions and every UK Russell Group university, and go on to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers in every sector. Through its expanding school network and philanthropic initiatives, GEMS is committed to its mission: to put quality education within reach of every learner, everywhere.
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other’s lives. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
Rouble Nagi with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum and Mr. Sunny Varkey. (JKNS)
