2016 Global Teacher Prize - Palestinian Wins One Million US Dollars Global Teacher Prize Monday March 14,2016

A teacher from a refugee camp in Palestine Monday March 14,2016 won USD one million Global Teacher Prize, beating nine other finalists from around the world, including an Indian.

Hanan Al Hroub beat India's Robin Chaurasiya, who runs a not-for-profit school in Mumbai for girls from the city's red light district of Kamatipura, and eight other finalists to bag the Varkey Foundation's prize at the end of the annual Global Education and Skills Forum here this evening.

"I did it, I won. Palestine won. All 10 of us have the power, we can change the world," said Hroub, who is in her early 40s, as her name was announced by Pope Francis via video link.

Hroub runs the Samiha Khalil High School in Al-Bireh, Palestine, where she uses a specialist approach she developed herself detailed in her book 'We Play and Learn' to overcome tense environments of the region under the shadow of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

"I am proud to present to you the message of teachers of Palestine: There is no doubt that we live in unnatural conditions.

"Violence and Israeli occupation surrounds us from all sides and imposes itself and leaks to each corner of educational process and its components, so our task is complicated as we see daily the suffering in the eyes of our students and our teachers. We want our children to live peacefully, as all children of the world," she said, in her part English and part Arabic acceptance speech.

"A child has the right to play. Part of education is to teach children how to play because you learn how to be social through games as well as learn the joy of life," Pope Francis said, in reference to the winning candidate.

Hroub's approach has led to a decline in violent behaviour in schools where this was a frequent occurrence and she has inspired her colleagues to review the way they teach and their classroom management strategies.

"I suggest that this year is the year of the Palestinian teacher. The world should support us to achieve hope for justice and peace," Hroub said.

The Global Teacher Prize, now in its second year, was set up by Kerala-born entrepreneur and educational philanthropist Sunny Varkey 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

Varkey Foundation announces Global Teacher Prize finalists

The foundation launched by Dubai-based education philanthropist Sunny Varkey has announced the 2016 finalists of its annual $1m Global Teacher Prize.

The Varkey Foundation - launched by the GEMS Education founder in 2010 - aims to improve the standards of education for underprivileged children around the world, and in 2015 held the first Global Teacher Prize to recognise and honour teachers across the globe who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession.

The 2016 edition of the prize features 10 finalists from Palestine, Pakistan, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Kenya, Finland and Japan.

• Hanan Al Hroub (Samiha Khalil Secondary School, Palestine)
• Aqeela Asifi (Girls refugee schools Pakistan)
• Robin Chaurasiya (Kranti School, India)
• Joe Fatheree (Effingham High School, United States)
• Colin Hegarty (Preston Manor School, United Kingdom)
• Richard Johnson (Rostrata Primary School, Australia)
• Ayub Mohamud (Eastleigh High School, Kenya)
• Maarit Rossi (Paths to Maths, Finland)
• Michael Soskil (Wallenpaupack South Elementary School, United States)
• Kazuya Takahashi (Japan)

The finalists were narrowed down from 8,000 nominations and applications from 148 countries and the winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on Sunday March 13,2016

The winner will be chosen by the extensive Global Teacher Prize Academy, made up of head teachers, education experts, commentators, journalists, public officials, tech entrepreneurs, company directors and scientists