Teachers across the UAE are being encouraged to apply or be nominated for the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize, a $1 million award presented by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO.
Applications now open
Open to active educators around the world, the Global Teacher Prize recognises teachers who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession and to their communities. Applications for the next award cycle are now being accepted via www.globalteacherprize.org.
The prize is open to full-time and part-time teachers of children aged 4 to 18 in government-recognised curricula, including online educators, who plan to remain in the profession for at least five years.
UAE track record
The UAE has seen strong representation in past editions. Moza Mohammed Rashid Saadan Al-Hafiti from Dibba Al Fujairah was named among the top 50 in 2025, and Riadh Zammali from Abu Dhabi was a top 50 finalist in 2021.
Mansour bin Abdullah Al-Mansour, who won the most recent award in February 2025 at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, said: “Every day across the UAE, teachers are using their superhuman powers to transform young lives. With remarkable resilience, bold innovation, and unwavering courage, they go above and beyond to protect, guide, and shape the futures of their students.
“I invite every inspiring educator to step into the light and apply… These are stories of passion, dedication, and brilliance the world needs to hear – and their achievements deserve to be celebrated on a global stage.”
Recognising impact
Applicants will be evaluated on their teaching methods, measurable impact on learning, community involvement, contribution to the profession, and ability to foster global citizenship. Nominations can also be submitted by others, with teachers then invited to complete the application themselves.
Sunny Varkey, Founder of GEMS Education and the Varkey Foundation, said: “The GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize was created to spotlight the critical role of education in addressing the major challenges of our time – from combating climate change to reducing inequality and navigating technological change.”
UNESCO’s support
UNESCO continues to back the award, with Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, adding:
“UNESCO is proud to stand with the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize in honouring the incredible dedication and impact of teachers… If we are to build a just, inclusive, and sustainable world, investing in teachers is not optional – it’s imperative.”
Since its launch in 2015, the prize has received over 100,000 applications and nominations globally. Finalists will be narrowed to a Top 50 and then a Top 10, with the winner selected by the Global Teacher Prize Academy.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
