Indian Educator Rouble Nagi Wins 2026 Global Teacher Prize

Rouble Nagi, an Indian educator, artist and social activist, has been awarded the 2026 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, valued at one million dollars, for her innovative use of art to provide education to children in underserved communities across India. The honor, one of the most prestigious in the field of teaching, was announced and presented on the final day of the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where global leaders gathered to discuss policy and innovation.

Nagi, based in Mumbai and originally from Jammu and Kashmir, was selected from more than 5,000 nominations submitted from 139 countries. The prize, established by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO, recognizes educators whose work extends far beyond traditional classrooms to create lasting social impact. Nagi accepted the award from Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education.

Over the past 24 years, Nagi has led a grassroots movement through her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation to reach children in slums, rural villages and other marginalized areas. The foundation has established more than...