Swaroop Sampat among 10 finalists for Global Teacher Prize 2019
Actor and life skills teacher Swaroop Sampat, wife of actor Paresh Rawal, was today named among the top 10 finalists of the $1 million Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize for her use of unique teaching methods to reach out to children across different segments of society in India. Sampat was shortlisted from around 10,000 nominations and applications across 179 countries for the annual prize.
The annual prize will be announced next month in Dubai
The actor teaches at Lavad Primary School in Gujarat. The prize will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) in Dubai next month. Expressing her pleasure over the announcement, Sampat said that this solidifies that some very special people are noticing and celebrating the work done by teachers. She said every effort made in education should be celebrated.
Strongly believe every effort in education should be celebrated: Sampat
Given the scale of the education challenge world over, I strongly believe every effort made in education should be celebrated and thus I congratulate my fellow teachers; those who have made to the list and also those who haven't, said Sampat.
'Want my children to be equipped with life skills'
Sampat, a former Miss India who has acted in films like Naram Garam, Ki & Ka, says she went into teaching to accomplish two goals: to help make children more resilient through life skills education and to bring new methods to teaching. I want my children to be equipped with life skills that not only make them resilient but emotionally empowered, she said.
Sampat's teaching has reached economically-disadvantaged as well as elite children
Sampat said that she wants life skills education in all schools and for children of all age groups. According to the Global Teacher Prize, Sampat's teaching has reached children on the streets, in rural communities, economically and socially disadvantaged children, as well as elite schoolchildren. The key to her unique teaching style includes drama and other interactive activities such as debate and discussions.
She uses learner-centered methods like debates, games, song in education
Sampat uses drama in education- an active, learner-centered method which includes group discussion, brainstorming, debate, games, song, and drawing. Her approach has had an impact on the lives of those she has taught, preventing child marriage in Bhadbhediya and child labor in Sodvadra's diamond polishing industry by facilitating children's return to school. She has also contributed to the understanding of teaching in India.
Hope her story inspire those looking to enter teaching: Varkey
Sampat has set an example for others by becoming a teacher-trainer and training over 10,000 teachers. I hope her story will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and also shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over India and throughout the world every day, said Sunny Varkey, the Indian-origin entrepreneur, founder of the UK-based Varkey Foundation.
Sampat's competitors include teachers from UK, US, Georgia, Argentina, Japan
The thousands of nominations and applications we received from every corner of the planet is testimony to the achievements of teachers and the enormous impact they have on all of our lives, said Varkey. Sampat will compete with teachers from the Netherlands, UK, US, Georgia, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Japan and Kenya, shortlisted by the Global Teacher Prize Committee from a worldwide top 50.
Hollywood star Hugh Jackman unveiled the final top 10 teachers
The unveiling of final 10 was accompanied by a special message from Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, who described teachers as "superheroes". When I was a kid, there were lots of superheroes that I wanted to be. But I can tell you now, from where I stand, with all my experience, the real superheroes are teachers. They're the ones that change the world, he said.
The award ceremony will be held on March 24
The winner of this year's prize will be chosen from the final 10 by the Global Teacher Prize Academy and formally announced at a gala award ceremony at the end of the Global Education & Skills Forum in Dubai on March 24.
