Dubai, UAE — February 8, 2026
Indian educator and social innovator Rouble Nagi has been awarded the prestigious Global Teacher Prize 2026, earning the US $1 million award in recognition of her extraordinary efforts to expand education access for underprivileged children across India. The award was presented during the World Governments Summit in Dubai by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and representatives of GEMS Education and the Varkey Foundation.
Nagi, founder of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation and the Misaal India programme, has devoted more than two decades to reimagining informal learning environments for children who have limited or no access to formal schooling. Through initiatives that blend low-cost education, creative community art, and foundational literacy and numeracy, she has established over 800 learning centres in slums and rural areas, reaching more than a million children. These programmes also use large educational murals and community spaces to make learning engaging and accessible.
Selected from more than 5,000 nominees worldwide, Nagi’s work stands out for its innovative integration of arts and education, its deep community roots, and its impact on reducing dropout rates and empowering children from marginalised backgrounds. She has described the award as both a personal milestone and a recognition of the collective efforts of countless volunteers and families who have supported her vision of education for all.