Two Kenyan teachers are among other 50 across the world who have picked for the Global Teacher Prize.
Peter Tabichi of Keriko Day Secondary School in Nakuru and Maina Gioko of Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa stand a chance of winning the Sh102 million ($1 million) award after beating more than 10,000 applications from 179 countries.
The award recognises exceptional teachers who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession. “Our top 50 finalists include teachers developing peace-building skills and advocates for inclusivity of teachers changing curriculum in their countries and integrating migrants into classrooms – they are all champions for change and are inspiring students and communities around them,” says globalteacherprize.org.
Mr Tabichi’s “extra-ordinary contribution”, according to the organisation, has been two-fold. He is praised for his contribution in the education sector where he donates 80 per cent of his income earned through teaching to the Franciscan Brothers, of which he is a member, for helping the needy.
He is praised for starting a talent nurturing club, which has seen 60 per cent of the students’ projects subsequently qualified for the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair 2018 where the school emerged the best in public schools category.
He integrates ICT into 80 per cent of his lessons, along with science quizzes, low-cost apparatus and fosters collaboration by incorporating peer-to-peer learning, with students identifying topics, generating questions and working in teams.
As for Mr Gioko, he and his students conduct a deworming exercise every year, combining this with community education on hygiene and environment care.
According to the organisation, the results and popularity of his teaching have seen students taking his work/study projects grow tenfold over the last five years, having begun with two students out of a class of 30. Now he has 25 students out of a class of 65.
“It has also been a scientific learning opportunity for the class, as every year they have been able to monitor the level of wellness and the quality of water in the area, linking this back to their studies,” the organisation says.
Gioko frequently broadcasts about educational issues on local radio and has been a keynote speaker at six Kenya Primary Headteachers Association conferences.
He is also a Microsoft Innovative Educator, plus a runner-up in the Innovative Content category of the Microsoft Teacher Awards.
All the Best as they await to be feted.