Teacher who gave away 80% of income won $1 million global prize
Peter Tabichi, a Kenyan science teacher who donated 80% of his income to support impoverished students, was awarded the $1 million Global Teacher Prize in 2019. Despite working in a school with minimal resources, his dedication helped his students compete at a national level.
Why it matters
The story highlights the impact of individual altruism and dedication in overcoming systemic educational inequality in developing regions.
A science teacher in rural Kenya was giving away most of his monthly income to help poor families and students. At the same time, he was teaching in a school with one computer, poor internet access and limited facilities. His students, however, were competing against some of the country's better-equipped schools in science competitions. In 2019, that teacher, Peter Tabichi, was named the winner of the $1 million Global Teacher Prize, becoming the first African winner of the award.Tabichi taught mathematics and physics at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, in Kenya's Rift Valley. The school was in a remote, semi-arid area where drought and food insecurity were recurring problems.
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