Ghana’s Stella Gyimaah Larbi has been shortlisted for the prestigious GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, recognizing exceptional educators worldwide.
The top 50 finalists were announced today by PR Newswire, selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications across 89 countries. Now in its ninth year, this $1 million prize, the largest of its kind, is a collaborative initiative of the Varkey Foundation and UNESCO.
It aims to honor teachers who have made significant contributions to their profession while highlighting the vital role educators play in society. Since its inception, the Global Teacher Prize has garnered more than 100,000 nominations from around the world, unearthing countless stories of teachers who have transformed the lives of young people.
The shortlist includes a diverse group from multiple regions, showcasing remarkable talent and dedication to education. In addition to Larbi, the African nominees include Ali Alfred Mokgalaka (South Africa), Dominic Ming’ate Orina (Kenya), Faith Aku Dzakpasu (Ghana), Kayode Adewale (Nigeria), Mahamba Sebastian Ihonde (Tanzania), and Tionge Mtambo (Malawi).
Sunny Varkey, the Founder of the Global Teacher Prize, expressed admiration for the finalists, stating that the prize was established to highlight the crucial role of education in addressing pressing global challenges.“The Global Teacher Prize was created to spotlight the critical role of education in addressing the major challenges of our time – from combating climate change to reducing inequality and navigating technological change. I congratulate all top 50 finalists, who are joining a global community of educators leading the way to build a better future.”
The prize is open to all teachers who work with children between the ages of 5 and 18, demonstrating innovative teaching practices and achieving positive learning outcomes. Applications are evaluated on various criteria, including community impact and the promotion of global citizenship among students.
The prize will soon narrow down to the top 10 finalists, to be revealed in late January, before the winner is announced at the World Government Summit in Dubai from February 11-13, 2025.
