The best teacher in the world: a Kenyan who gives his salary and fight against poverty

DUBAI.- He is only 36 years old and is a Franciscan priest. Although he does not always wear the typical tunic of his order, he leads a religious life centered on poverty and charity. He was born in Kenya and works there as
professor of physics and mathematics. Yesterday, in Dubai, he was voted the world's best teacher, with a prize of one million dollars. Her name is
Peter Tabichi.

The organizers of
The Varkey Foundation Global Teachers' Award said the decision was made because "their dedication, hard work and trust in the talent of their students have allowed their school, located in a rural area with of few resources, to win the prize. " The best school in the national competences of the interscholastic sciences ".

Tabichi believes in what he does and it shows. He spends 80% of his salary to help his students, mostly poor. In fact, 95% of boys who study with him do not always have enough to eat. "I'm only here for what my students have accomplished … This award gives them a chance," he said after receiving the award. He was one of the 10 finalists of this fifth edition of the award. Argentina's Martin Salvetti was another.

He teaches because it takes in the story. His father was a teacher, his uncle and his cousins ​​too. Everyone thought it was like that the world was changing. He is not interested in comfort. He used to teach in a school where he had all he needed and that was why he felt that his place was not the one the. He usually goes to all places where he goes by motorbike. He believes that to be a good teacher, you have to talk less and do more.

Today, he works at Keriko High School, in the village of Pwani, in an isolated and semi-desert region of Kenya's Rift Valley, and has been able to build confidence in his students, reducing tensions between the many ethnic groups with a club of peace, feed the poorest and teach agricultural methods appropriate to drought. This was not the only thing he did: he also encouraged many of his students to ask for more, compete and win national prizes. And every day helps them deal with everyday problems: addiction, early pregnancy, suicides.

That's why his students love him so much. All are between the ages of 11 and 16, and many of them walk seven kilometers a day to avoid missing their clbades, according to what was published by the newspaper.
The country.

The World Teacher Award celebrated its fifth edition this year. It is the industry's most important monetary compensation award, recognizing an educator who makes an outstanding contribution to the profession and highlighting the fundamental role educators play in society.

The message from its president

In a video, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said, "Peter Tabichi, on behalf of all Kenyans, I would like to congratulate you on the World's Best Educator Award this year, and you are an absolute example of what you can do. 39, human mind can achieve, Africa but for the world "

"Your story is the story of

L & # 39; Africa

a young and talented continent. Students demonstrated that they could compete with the world's best in science, technology and in all areas of human activity. We must all work together now to provide the necessary support. They make me believe that the best days are ahead of us and that your story will enlighten the way for future generations, "Kenyatta concluded.

AFP and ANSA agencies