Global Teacher Prize 2016 Call for Entries
PUBLISHED June 12th, 2015 05:40 am | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am
Know a teacher who puts their heart and soul into everything they do, and wish to help showcase their dedication? Then nominate those teachers (or encourage them to nominate themselves) for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2016 at globalteacherprize.org. Now in its second year, and widely referred to as the Nobel Prize for teaching, the US$1 million award is the largest prize of its kind.
It was set up to recognize one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes that have transformed young people’s lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of millions of teachers all over the world.
Last year, only five teachers from Singapore applied for the prize, which was a low figure compared to applications from other countries, including 20 from neighbouring Malaysia. Such efforts were dwarfed by the nominations of countries such as the US (174), Nigeria (98) and India (193).
As a result, despite having a reputation as one of the most successful countries in the world for education, Singapore had no teachers in the final 50 shortlisted candidates. This year, if teachers from Singapore apply and are shortlisted as top 50 candidates and top ten finalists, their inspirational stories can be publicised, helping to raise the bar of respect for the profession.
Sunny Varkey, added: ‘Last year, we were proud to receive over 5000 nominations for the Global Teacher Prize. However, we want to see many more exceptional teachers from every corner of the planet apply this year, especially from Singapore. The more teachers that apply, the greater the celebration for this most noble of professions.’
The Prize is open to currently working teachers who teach children that are in compulsory schooling, or are between the ages of five and eighteen. Teachers who teach on a part-time basis are also eligible, as are teachers of online courses. The Prize is open to teachers in every kind of school and, subject to local laws, in every country in the world.
Entries for the event are currently open, and will close on 10 October 2015.
For more information, and applications, please see [here](http://www.globalteacherprize.org/).
