Saudi teacher Mansour bin Abdullah Al-Mansour, who has volunteered over 3,000 hours and transformed the lives of hundreds of gifted orphans, has been awarded the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, a $1 million prize presented by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO.
Al-Mansour, a teacher at Prince Saud bin Jalawi School in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, was chosen from over 5,000 nominees across 89 countries. The award, which highlights exceptional contributions to education, was presented at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
Global Teacher Prize
The Global Teacher Prize, now in its ninth year, aims to recognize teachers who make outstanding contributions to their profession. Since its inception, over 100,000 applications and nominations have been received globally.
“I am humbled to be recognised among such remarkable educators,” said Al-Mansour. “Every child deserves the chance to shine, and I will continue to work towards breaking barriers so that no young person is left behind.”
Al-Mansour’s impact is significant. Since 2001, he has been teaching in low-income neighbourhoods, helping students with disabilities, learning difficulties, and those from illiterate families. He transformed his school into one of the top ten learning environments in Saudi Arabia for gifted education, providing students with mentorship programs and access to leading talent centres.
Al-Mansour’s achievements
Through his initiatives, Al-Mansour helped students acquire financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and even set up small businesses. He also contributed to the ‘Riyali Financial Awareness Initiative,’ empowering low-income students to become financially independent.
Apart from his work in education, Al-Mansour has dedicated time to mentoring orphans and leading programs for prison inmates, teaching them literacy skills that helped reduce their sentences. His voluntary efforts have extended to founding several charitable organizations, including the Qabas Educational Association, which supports 3,250 learners.
Al-Mansour’s recognition comes alongside the announcement of the top 10 finalists for the prize, including educators from countries such as Australia, France, India, and the US.
Lisa Crausby, Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, congratulated Al-Mansour, saying, “This is a well-deserved recognition of your remarkable efforts to uplift and inspire not just young minds, but educators worldwide.”
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, emphasized the importance of honoring teachers, stating, “Recognizing and investing in teachers is essential to building a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.”
The Global Teacher Prize aims to raise the profile of teachers globally, reinforcing their essential role in shaping the next generation and addressing future challenges.
