Kenyan Teacher who Donates 80% of His Salary Makes Final 10 for Sh100 Million Global Prize

A Kenyan high school teacher is among 10 finalists for the 2019 edition of Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize.

Peter Tabichi Mokaya, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at little-known Keriko Secondary School in Nakuru County is the only tutor from Africa who has made it to the final list.

Mokaya and other finalists have been selected from a list of more than 10,000 other applicants from 179 countries across the globe.

Launched five years ago, the $1,000,000 (Sh100 million) Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize is the largest prize of its kind in the world.

The youthful teacher, who donates 80 percent of his monthly salary to the less privileged, says he was not sure he would make to the final list while making the application.

"I am pleased, honored and humbled to be selected from thousands of applicants from around the world to the top 10 list."

"I appreciate this great recognition on behalf of all the hard working teachers throughout the world whose great achievements go unnoticed, “he says.

If he wins the prize, Mokaya says he will use the money to promote and expand the talent-nurturing club, the Science Club and Inter-School Science Project Competitions as well as put up a computer laboratory with internet connectivity in the school.

The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai, UAE on March 24th, 2019.