Global Teacher Prize winner gives away US$500,000 to fellow finalists

KUALA LUMPUR – Fresh from being crowned the winner of the Global Teacher Prize, India’s Ranjitsinh Disale announced he will be giving up half of his US$1 million prize money to the other nine finalists, which included Malaysia’s Samuel Isaiah. 
 
The 31-year-old educator from the Zilla Parishad Primary School in Paritewadi, Maharashtra, India made this announcement during the virtual awards ceremony broadcast from London’s Natural History Museum. 
 
In his live speech from his home, Ranjitsinh paid tribute to teachers globally persevering through the current Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
“I’m receiving this prize on behalf of teachers who are working hard to lighten the lives of millions of students and making sure their birth right of getting quality education is guaranteed. 
 
“Teachers are real change-makers. Today, I would like to announce that 50% of my prize money will be equally shared with the rest of the top 10 finalists. 
 
“I believe together we can make a difference and make this world a better place,” he said today. 
 
Ranjitsinh was awarded for his contribution in transforming the life chances of young girls in his dilapidated school, by redesigning all textbooks of grades 1 to 4 into Kannada — the students’ primary language there. 
 
He also designed unique QR codes that embedded audio poems, video lectures, stories and assignments in the language, as the school's original curriculum was not in Kannada. 
 
The award ceremony, dubbed the “Nobel Prize for Teaching”, also marks a proud moment for Malaysia, seeing the local Isaiah being formally announced on stage as one of the finalists. 
 
A short footage of him during his classes and lessons was also played during the ceremony. 
 
Isaiah Samuel, who teaches at SK Runchang School in Muadzam Shah, Pahang, was recognised for his involvement and contribution among the Orang Asli students there, many of whom live in remote areas. 
 
He incorporated the use of technology in his teaching, started a crowdfunding campaign to renovate his classroom, and implemented an e-mail exchange project where students communicate in English. 
 
Consequently, the students improved in their national standardised English examinations, from a pass rate of 30% (2008-2012) to an average of 80% (2013-2017). 
 
Meanwhile, UK-based Maths teacher Jamie Frost was given the Covid Hero Award and cash prize of US$45,000 for his free DrFrostMaths online Maths lessons, which was downloaded over seven million times during the pandemic. 
 
The special recognition is given to one teacher who has gone above and beyond to keep students learning at home during Covid-19. – The Vibes, December 3, 2020