Rouble Nagi, Indian educator who transformed slums wins $1 million Global Teacher Prize

Rouble Nagi, an Indian teacher and social activist, has been honoured with the 1 million dollar Global Teacher Prize 2026 for her revolutionary work in education. She has transformed slums across India into vibrant learning spaces through innovative centres and educational murals.

Indian educator and activist Rouble Nagi has won the prestigious 1 million dollar GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026, an initiative of the Varkey Foundation organised in collaboration with UNESCO.

The award was presented at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, which brings together leaders and policymakers from across the globe.

Over the past two decades, Nagi has established more than 800 learning centres across over 100 underserved communities in India through her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF).

These centres provide children who have never attended school with structured learning, while also supporting those already in the formal education system with remedial education and creative enrichment.

Central to her work are the “Living Walls of Learning”, interactive murals painted on abandoned walls that teach literacy, numeracy, science, hygiene, history, environmental awareness, and social responsibility.

Far from being mere decorations, these murals turn neighbourhoods into active learning spaces, engaging children, parents, and the wider community.