A Moment With many of our programmes around the world – leadership training in Uganda , interactive distance learning for girls in Ghana , among others . I also attend a lot of education conferences , to both contribute ideas and stay on top of global developments . Or I may be travelling with our Global Teacher Prize winner , Hanan Al Hroub from Palestine , as she spreads knowledge of her acclaimed methods of teaching traumatised children in conflict zones . She has also been promoting a message about the importance and responsibility of educating the world ’ s refugee children , which she recently spoke about at the United Nations .
Share 3 positive ways in which the Global Teacher Prize ( GTP ) has impacted education globally .
The Global Teacher Prize is not about one teacher but uncovering stories of thousands of superhero teachers around the world . We ’ re extremely proud to have uncovered and then showcased the great work of these teachers . By shining a huge spotlight on the importance of great teachers , we hope to raise the respect of the whole profession . Many of the teachers who are shortlisted in the top 50 go on to become household names in their countries . That in itself is an achievement . It is great to have them being role models for young people .
We ’ ve launched the Varkey Teacher Ambassadors network . This is a virtual community of role model teachers who will help to promote best practices in education and teaching as a profession . When our finalists from the GTP and other educators meet in Dubai at the Global Education and Skills Forum ( GESF ) to share best practice , we pool that knowledge , information and experience . We are developing a repository of the best teaching knowledge in the world . We are very proud of that .
Finally , the GTP initiative inspired the creation of new national teacher awards , as different countries help to elevate the status of the profession across the world . We hope to have around 30 national prizes by GESF in March 2017 . This means educators in Argentina , Italy , Liberia , Nepal , Palestine and Uganda will have the chance to be recognised as the best in their country . Those finalists will partner and interact with the GTP teachers and organisation . They could potentially end up as shortlisted candidates for the US $ 1M Global Teacher Prize itself .
Congratulations on being included on the London Evening Standard ’ s Progress 1000 list of influential people in London …
The London Evening Standard ’ s Progress 1000 list includes amazing talents , who have contributed so much to our great city of London , which continues to lead the world . I was humbled to have been included among them . It was an honour for me .
This kind of high profile recognition is of course invaluable to our mission at the Varkey Foundation , where , from our base in a global capital , we strive to give every teacher around the world the status they deserve , as well as every child the chance of a good education .
With my family having moved to London from East Africa , I know first hand that the city has provided many opportunities to immigrants like us . London is such an incredible city , and I am so grateful for the words of encouragement and celebration that my family and I have received .
What message would you like to share with teachers as they prepare for the upcoming term ?
In November 2013 , the foundation published the Global Teacher Status Index , the first attempt to compare attitudes towards teachers in 21 countries . The index found that there were significant differences between the statuses of teachers worldwide . The survey also found that in many countries , between a third and half of parents would “ probably ” or “ definitely not ” encourage their children to enter the teaching profession .
My message to teachers everywhere is hold your head high . Be proud of the amazing work you do every day to nurture young minds . Share best practice ; support each other in lifting the status and acclaim of this great profession . Ask your school , your teachers and your local communities to get involved and nominate great teachers for the Global Teacher Prize . Use the Prize as it is intended : as a platform to share your inspiring stories with the world , because they really do deserve to be told . If you did not apply this year , please apply next year .
What is one fun thing about you that would surprise your colleagues ?
This is a tough one as my colleagues know everything about me . No unusual hobbies or anything , but I like going out , going to dinner , I can ’ t think of anything else off hand .
What is the best advice that you have received ? How has this helped you ?
The best advice comes from my boss Sunny Varkey . He always urges people to aim for the top , because nothing is impossible . In order to over achieve you have to set targets that stretch you , and sometimes you don ’ t know what those are . The worst thing you can do , in my book , is not to try . As a leader , your job is to make sure you push the boundaries every day in order to benefit humanity .
Mr . Vikas Pota , CEO of the Varkey Foundation .