Campus Times| Lucknow

Indian artist and social reformer Rouble Nagi has won the $1 million GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026. She received the award at the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for her remarkable contribution to education and social change. Often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Teaching,” the award recognizes Nagi’s two-decade-long efforts to transform India’s urban slums into vibrant, open-air classrooms through art-based learning. The prize was presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, along with Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation, in collaboration with UNESCO. Rouble Nagi was selected from over 5,000 nominations across 139 countries, bringing global pride to India.

Mumbai-based artist, muralist, and social reformer Rouble Nagi has won the prestigious $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026 at the World Government Summit in Dubai. The award recognises her two decades of work in transforming India’s urban slums and underserved communities into vibrant learning spaces through art-based education.

From Art to Social Change

Born in Jammu & Kashmir and trained at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, Nagi first gained recognition for her sculptures and murals. She later redefined the idea of a classroom by founding the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF), using art as a tool to bring education directly to children living in poverty.

Misaal Mumbai Initiative

Through RNAF’s flagship initiative “Misaal Mumbai,” Nagi has painted and repaired over 1.55 lakh houses in slums and villages across India. Her work has helped integrate more than one million children into the formal education system and establish over 800 learning centres in more than 100 underserved communities and villages.

Living Walls of Learning

Nagi was honoured for her innovative concept “Living Walls of Learning,” where abandoned and broken walls are transformed into interactive educational murals. These murals teach literacy, numeracy, science, history, hygiene, social responsibility, and environmental awareness, acting as permanent outdoor textbooks for children who have never attended school.

Education on the Streets

By placing education in the streets where children live and play, Nagi has successfully overcome barriers such as lack of infrastructure, poverty, and child labour. Her initiatives have led to a dropout reduction of over 50 per cent in targeted areas, while fostering curiosity, creativity, and community participation.

The Global Teacher Prize, often called the “Nobel Prize of Teaching,” celebrates educators who make an extraordinary impact on society. Rouble Nagi’s work has not only brought international recognition to India but has also reshaped the way education reaches the most marginalized. .....know more