Mr. Peter Mokaya
Mr. Tabichi, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, Nakuru was announced winner of the global prize on Sunday evening at a ceremony held in Dubai.
The Varkey Foundation’s Ksh.100 million Global Teacher Prize honors one exceptional teacher every year.
Mr. Tabichi, 36, was crowned the winner for dedicating his life to helping others. He gives 80% of his teaching salary to local community projects, including education, sustainable agriculture and peace-building.
“He’s changed the lives of his students in many ways, including the introduction of science clubs and the promotion of peace between different ethnic groups and religions. He has also helped to address food insecurity among the wider community in the famine-prone Rift Valley,” said the Varkey Foundation.
From the report by the foundation, more than 90% of his pupils are from poor families and almost a third are orphans or have only one parent. Drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, dropping out early from school, young marriages and suicide are common. Students have to walk 7km along roads that can become impassable in the rainy season to reach the school and the area can be affected by drought and famine.
Despite only having one computer, a poor internet connection and a student-teacher ratio of 58:1,
The global award was the first ever to be given to an African teacher. President Kenyatta congratulated Mokaya for being a role model in society.