Establishing Schools For Underprivileged Children As A Teenager, This Teacher Wins Global Teacher Prize

President Macron with Sister Zeph. (Twitter/@TereachPrize)

JAKARTA - A Pakistani teacher who when a teenager founded a school for underprivileged children at his home managed to win a $1 million Global Teacher Prize.

The woman named Sister Zeph was only 13 years old when she set up a school in her yard, for children whose parents were unable to send them home.

He works eight hours a day to fund school and then teaches his students for four hours, and then stays up late at night studying.

Twenty-six years later, the school is now placed in a new building and provides free education to more than 200 underprivileged children.

Sister Zeph plans to use the $1 million prize she won to build a school on a four-hectare land, where children from the country's poorest families can be educated without facing any discrimination.

He also wants to build shelters for orphans, where food will be grown in his home and teachers from all over the world are invited to give classes.

"Inspirational teachers deserve recognition for their strong commitment to education in the world that faces a global teacher shortage and a decline in conditions and status," explained Stefania Giannini, assistant director general of Unesco education, as reported by The National News November 10.

"Teachers are important. Currently, more than ever, we must respect and support teachers because they not only form the next generation, but also the future of our society," he explained.

Sister Zeph, who came from Gujranwala, Myanmar, Pakistan, came out victorious after setting aside more than 7,000 nominations and applications.

He teaches English, Urdu, culture, interfaith harmony and climate change.

In addition, Zeph also runs martial classes for girls and provides financial assistance to families who are forced to choose between educating their children or paying their bills.

He also runs a vocational center that has helped more than 6,000 women gain skills in the fields of computers, textiles and learning English.

It is known, Global Teacher Prize, which is now entering its eighth year, is an annual award given by Varkey Foundation to an educator who has made a tremendous contribution to his profession.

Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2023 will be held in collaboration with Unesco in collaboration and Dubai Cares.

Teachers who apply for Global Teachers Prize are judged based on their teaching practices, how they innovate to address local challenges, achieve proven learning results, influence communities outside of class, help children become world citizens and improve the teaching profession.