Global Teacher Prize Winner Inspires Change in Kenya

Children studying at a Kenyan primary school enjoy their school day. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Cohen)

Peter Tabichi was awarded the Global Teacher Prize in March, receiving $1 million to further his work with the Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Kenya’s Pwani Village. As a friar and teacher, Tabichi has dedicated his life to educating young pupils affected by drought, faminine, drug abuse, and the inaccessibility of schooling. 

“Every child has potential,” said Tabichi, “The thing is how to bring it out.” He donates 80 percent of his salary to support the right to equal education. His work puts a particular emphasis on girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). He led the students of the Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School to the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in 2019 and the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair in 2018.

As of 2016, only 21 percent of Kenyan students were enrolled in upper secondary school. Tabichi’s work has helped to double enrollment at the Keriko Mixed Secondary School in three years. After electoral violence in 2007 when thousands died, students struggled with the concepts of peace and resolution. Through a Peace Club, Tabichi fosters innovative learning and group discussions. Beyond the classroom, he has influenced the student’s prenotions of violence and its role in society.

Particularly for women and children, pursuing an education leads to higher life expectancy, decreased maternal and neonatal mortality rates, and increased economic empowerment. With Tabichi’s concentration on girls’ achievement, girls have increased self-esteem and academic success, observers say. He notes, “You need to walk with them closely.”

The Global Teacher Prize aims to bring attention to the learning crisis. Tabichi was chosen out of 10,000 nominees. Tabichi has said he sees the award as an opportunity to tell his story on an international level. During a talk at Georgetown University on September 16, Tabichi highlighted an earlier speech by former-President Barack Obama, who said, “Policy alone won’t move a knee, but rather telling stories more effectively.” In sharing his life’s work, he hopes to impact those who hear it, Tabichi says.

In 2015, the United Nations created the Sustainable Development Goals to set international goals for the health and development of countries, with an emphasis on education. Altering the way children are schooled alters the way they face the future, according to experts. Tabichi says, “Once you have passion you are able to do wonders.”