Meet the newest Indian Superhero: Swaroop Rawal placed among Top 10 Best Teachers around the world..!

February 21: It is truly a proud moment for India that actor and life skills teacher Swaroop Rawal has been recognized as one of the best teachers globally by the Global Teacher Prize 2019. Adding a feather to India's glory, Rawal was named among the top 10 finalists of the USD one million Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize announced by Hugh Jackman on Thursday.

 

Known for her use of unique teaching methods to reach out to children across different segments of society in India, Swaroop never originally intended to become a teacher, but after becoming a mother and then returning to study at the age of 37, she realised that she had something unique to offer. She teaches at Lavad Primary School in Gujarat. According to the Global Teacher Prize, her teaching has reached children on the streets, in rural communities, economically and socially disadvantaged children, as well as elite schoolchildren.

 

In order to reach out to children, Swaroop, wife of actor Paresh Rawal and an actor herself, uses drama in education, an active, learner-centred method which includes group discussion, brainstorming, debate, games, song, and drawing. This approach has had important concrete effects in the lives of those she has taught. To make this possible, she also pursued a PhD, researching life skills enhancement for mental wellbeing, teacher education, and the arts as a tool for education.

 

Due to the impact of her techniques, in Sodvadra, pupils have helped put a stop to child labour in the diamond polishing industry and facilitated children’s return to school and has prevented child marriage in Bhadbhediya. She has also contributed to the understanding of teaching in India, becoming a teacher-trainer and training over 10,000 teachers.

 

“This solidifies that some very special people are noticing and celebrating the work done by teachers”, shared Swaroop in response to the announcement.

 

Swaroop was shortlisted from around 10,000 nominations and applications across 179 countries for the annual prize which will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai next month.

It is for the first time that the organization has announced the US$1 million award for the Top 10, is the largest prize of its kind.

 

The Top 10 Finalists for the Global Teacher Prize were announced by movie star Hugh Jackman, as he called teachers ‘the real superheroes’ in a powerful tribute to the work of teachers around the world.

 

“When I was a kid there were lots of superheroes that I wanted to be. But I can tell you right now, from where I stand, with all my experience, the real superheroes are teachers they're the ones that change the world”, expressed the Australian actor-singer-producer Jackman.

Top 10 come from Netherlands, UK, US, Georgia, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Japan, Kenya and India. From teaching in remote towns and villages to inner-city schools, they advocate for inclusivity and for child rights, integrate migrants into the classrooms, and nurture their students’ abilities and confidence using music, technology, robotics and science.

 

They are all champions for change and are inspiring their students and communities around them, and we should salute them!