Indian educator wins Dubai's $1 million Global Teacher Prize

Indian educator and artist Rouble Nagi has been named the winner of the $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026 at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. 

She was presented the award by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Nagi won the award for empowering over a million children in marginalised communities in India through low-cost, art-based education under the “Misaal India” programme. 

Her “Misaal Mumbai” project was India’s first slum transformation initiative, painting over 155,000 houses while improving sanitation, waterproofing and conducting hygiene workshops.

Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF), Nagi developed the “Misaal India” programme to provide low-cost, art-based education to over a million children across more than 100 slums and villages.

Her holistic approach blends literacy, numeracy, life skills, and vocational training, all integrated with creative projects that engage children and the wider community.

Nagi's innovative “Living Walls of Learning” transforms neighbourhood walls into interactive murals that teach history, science, and social responsibility, while fostering community pride and participation.

Her teaching model addresses the profound challenges of India’s urban slums, including poverty, irregular attendance, inadequate infrastructure, and social barriers such as child labour and early marriage. By offering flexible schedules, vocational skills, and creative learning using recycled materials, she ensures children gain confidence, critical thinking, and academic success. Her programmes have reduced dropout rates by over 50 per cent, improved literacy and numeracy, and transformed community attitudes toward education.

Now in its tenth year, the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, a Varkey Foundation initiative organised in collaboration with UNESCO, was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society.