Global stars in Dubai to support $1M teacher’s prize

dubai — Global stars will descend on Dubai next week as the world’s best teacher is recognised and honoured with a $1 million prize. Indian actor Priyanka Chopra and Hollywood star Charlize Theron will be among the international celebrities who will be in town for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize awards ceremony to be held on March 18.

Kingsman: The Secret Service actor Taron Egerton; Suits stars Gina Torres and Sarah Rafferty; former cricketer Brian Lara; and Britain’s most successful distance runner Mo Farah will be the other stars at the event.

The celebrities will be endorsing their support to the cause of recognising and lifting the status of teachers globally.

The Global Teacher Prize is the largest prize of its kind and will be given to one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.

Ten teachers who have made a significant difference in their students’ lives — sometimes against all odds — have been shortlisted for the award.

They are: Nurten Akkus from Turkey; Marjorie Brown from South Africa; Luis Miguel Bermudez Gutierrez from Colombia; Jesus Insilada from the Philippines; Glenn Lee from the United States; Diego Mahfouz Faria Lima from Brazil; Koen Timmers from Belgium; Eddie Woo from Australia; Andria Zafirakou from the United Kingdom; and Barbara Zielonka from Norway.

Last year, the prize was won by Canadian teacher Maggie MacDonnell for reaching out to indigenous communities in the country.