Top teacher wins $1m prize and gives half away

Top teacher shares $1 million prize - 14th December 2020

An Indian teacher has won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize. Then, he gave half of his winnings away.

The Global Teacher Prize is a competition to find the world's most exceptional teacher. A list is made of amazing teachers, who are chosen from all over the world. This year, Ranjitsinh Disale won the prize. He beat 12,000 other teachers who people suggested for the prize.

Mr Disale teaches in a village primary school in India. He focuses on the education of poor girls. He makes sure they can go to school. His students get good grades. He also gives online science lessons for students all over the world. And he helps young people in war zones to connect with each other.

After he won, Mr Disale decided to share his prize money with other teachers in the competition. He said, "in this hard time, teachers are giving their best". So, he gave half of the $1million to other teachers in the competition's top 10. It's the first time a winner has shared the prize.

Sunny Varkey organises the Global Teacher Prize. He is happy Mr Disale is sharing the prize. He said to Mr Disale: "You teach the world the importance of giving."