By Roseleen Nzioka
Nairobi, Kenya: Pakistani teacher Sister Zeph, who founded her school for underprivileged children in the courtyard of her home at just 13, has been named the winner of the prestigious Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2023.
Sister Zeph, birth name Riffat Arif, takes home US $ 1 million after she beat over 7000 entrants in this year’s competition. She received her award at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
Sister Zeph is a teacher and an activist from Gujranwala and primarily advocates for girls’ education and women’s empowerment.
According to Varkey Foundation news, Sister Zeph founded her school in the courtyard of her home at just 13 for children whose parents cannot pay fees. She worked eight-hour days to fund the school, then taught students for another four hours, and then stayed up at night teaching herself.
Twenty-six years later, the school, now housed in a brand-new building, provides free education for more than 200 underprivileged children. From a young age, she faced adversity and emerged as a beacon of hope for underprivileged children in her wider community. Many of her students from humble backgrounds have gone to work for her education and empowerment foundation while others have gone on to very successful professional careers.
As well as running the school, she runs self-defense classes for girls, having herself been attacked and threatened. She also provides financial assistance to families choosing between educating their children and paying their bills and runs a vocational center that has helped more than 6,000 women gain skills in ICT, textiles, and the English language.
Her dedication to education and empowerment has touched countless lives and earned her numerous awards, recognizing her as a true change-maker and advocate for women’s rights and children’s education around the world.
With the Global Teacher Prize funds, Sister Zeph plans to build a school on 10 acres where children from the poorest families in the country can be educated without discrimination. She would also like to create a shelter for orphans, where food would be grown on the property and teachers from all parts of the world would be invited to instruct them in a range of subjects.
“Teaching is not just a profession; it’s a vocation, a calling to inspire, nurture, and empower the next generation. Let us work together to ensure that every child has the chance to learn, dream, and make a positive impact on our world.
“This recognition is a reminder that when we work together, we can overcome the obstacles. It is a call to action, a call for us to redouble our efforts, and a call for the world to unite in our commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to a quality education.
“I will use this platform to advocate for quality education, gender equality, and the empowerment of every child, especially those in marginalized communities. We must continue to innovate, collaborate, and invest in education to shape a brighter future for all,” said Sister Zeph in her acceptance speech in Paris.
In 2019 the award was clinched by a Kenyan science teacher, Peter Tabichi who is also a Franciscan Brother. Tabichi teaches at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, situated in a remote, semi-arid part of Kenya’s Rift Valley where 95% of the pupils are from poor families. He gives away 80% of his monthly income to help poor students in his school.
The award event is organized in collaboration with UNESCO and strategic partnership with Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organization.
The winner is chosen by the prominent Global Teacher Prize Academy made up of head teachers, educational experts, commentators, journalists, public officials, tech entrepreneurs, company directors, and scientists from around the world.
