They chose a Kenyan as "the best teacher in the world": Peter Tabichi's story

Special Envoy – Dubai. El kenyata Peter Tabichi stayed with the Global Teacher Prize, considered the "Nobel of Education". The prize, which gives one million dollars to its winner, for the first time had an Argentine teacher – Martin Salvett – among the ten finalists.

Tabichi is 36 years old and is a professor of science and mathematics. He teaches at Keriko Mixed Day in the village of Pwani, located in a remote and semi-arid part of Kenya's Rift Valley. There, the community coexists with hunger and drought. 95% of its students live in poverty and nearly a third are orphans or have only one parent.

The profound adversity does not make a difference in his work as an educator. Since taking office in 2015, the number of registrations has increased: from 200 to 480 students. One of the reasons, he explains, is the science club that he developed at the school. The teacher helps children design research projects of such quality that 60% of them are currently qualifying for national competitions.

Tabichi presents his work in a success story. One of her students, Esther, despite the original weaknesses, won the first place at the Kenya Science and Technology Fair. The award was created as a result of a device invented by the student and allows the blind and deaf to measure and measure objects. Now, Esther will represent Kenya in an international competition in the United States.

When he heard his name, the Kenyan teacher did not hold back his tears. He jumped to kiss Hugh Jackman, who had previously dedicated a few words to each teacher. "Your story is amazing, you are an example for everyone"he had told him.

As in every edition of the prize, there was a surprise, always extravagant. The main character of this time was Jackman, who not only played the role of presenter, but also played in three musical shows with a team of dancers.

In his speech, Tabichi remembered it and even brought up his father on stage. His mother died while he was only 11 years old. It is his father who has nurtured and educated each of the seven brothers. A whole family related to teaching. And a whole Franciscan family. In fact, the teacher gives 80% of his monthly salary, about $ 400, to help overcrowded kids.

"Every day in Africa, we move from one page and one chapter to another, today is another day, this award does not recognize me, it recognizes the young people of this great continent. I am here only for what my students accomplished. This award gives them an opportunity. He tells the world that they can do what they want, "he said in the main lobby of the Atlantis Hotel, two huge towers located in the Palm Islands of Dubai.

The story of Tabichi does not stop there. Together with four other colleagues, they give private lessons outside school hours, even on weekends, to underperforming children. The teacher goes to the home to see firsthand the reality experienced by each student

Among its achievements, the Varkey Foundation, promoter of the award, highlights the reduction in the number of cases of indiscipline: it has increased from 30 to three per week, they say. In addition, his work was essential for more boys to pursue higher education and to give girls, who had been previously reported, better grades than boys.

At the end of the event, Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya, appeared on the screen: "Peter, your story is about Africa, a young continent full of talent. Sa shining example of what the human spirit can achieve, not only for Kenya, not only for Africa, but for the world ", he told Tabichi that he was no longer looking at the screen but his father, who had already done so.