Lagos, Nigeria — Oando Foundation an independent charity, launched by Oando PLC has been appointed to the judging academy of the Varkeys GEMS Foundation Global Teacher Prize. The Academy will award $1 million in November 2014 to one exceptional teacher, selected from a pool of global candidates, who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.
The Academy is made up of head-teachers, educational experts, commentators, journalists, public officials, tech entrepreneurs, company directors and scientists from the UK, the US, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Austria, Pakistan, Philippines, Netherlands, Thailand, Kenya, South Africa, Japan, Nigeria, Uganda, Singapore, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, India and Turkey.
The Global Teacher prize will be given to a teacher who has achieved exceptional results in student learning, and has won the respect of parents and the community through activities beyond the classroom. He/she will have provided a role model to other teachers through charity, community work or other cultural achievements, and will also have opened up access to quality education for children of all backgrounds, enabling them become ‘global citizens’, comfortable with peers from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The award, the equivalent of a ‘Nobel Prize’, will operate under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. It will underline the importance of the teaching profession and symbolise the fact that teachers throughout the world deserve to be recognised and celebrated.
President Bill Clinton, Honorary Chairman of the Varkey GEMS Foundation, said: “Attracting the best people to teaching, developing and supporting their skills, and holding our teachers in high regard are all critically important to achieve excellence, both in teaching and learning.”
Speaking on Oando Foundation’s selection to the Academy, Tokunboh Durosaro, Director, Oando Foundation said, “We are extremely delighted by our selection to join the Academy for the Global Teacher Prize, and are cognizant of the increasingly important role teachers play in today’s society. This award seeks to recognize, celebrate, and strengthen the teaching profession, and I would like to encourage all of us to nominate a truly-rewarding teacher.”
Also commenting, Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkeys GEMS Foundation said “I’m extremely pleased that Oando Foundation has joined me in drawing attention to the achievements of teachers and the enormous impact they have on all of our lives by being part of the Global Teacher Prize academy. I believe teachers must be returned to their rightful position as the most respected profession in society, which is properly rewarded and celebrated.”
The nomination of Oando Foundation on the judging academy is evidence that the Foundation’s work within the education sector is recognized and presents the Foundation with another opportunity to improve the status of teachers in Nigeria.
The prize is open to teachers currently teaching children that are in compulsory schooling, or are below the age of 18. Head-teachers with teaching responsibilities are also eligible to apply. The prize is open to teachers in every kind of school in every country in the world. The closing date for applications will be August 31, 2014, and the winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum 2015 in Dubai, UAE.
The winner will be paid the prize money in equal instalments over ten years. Without compromising their work in the classroom, the winner will also serve as a global ambassador for the Varkey GEMS Foundation, attend public events and speak in public forums about improving the prestige of the teaching profession.
For further details, please visit www.teacherprize.com
