UAE
One Indian origin & two Indian Educators Shortlisted for the 2025 Global Teacher Prize. The Varkey Foundation has announced the Top 50 Finalists for the 2025 Global Teacher Prize, and three Indian educators have made the prestigious list. These remarkable teachers—Subash Chandar K, Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati, and Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan—are being celebrated for their transformative impact on education, championing inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability in diverse learning environments.
The Global Teacher Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Teaching,” recognizes educators who go above and beyond to inspire their students and communities. This year’s finalists represent 37 countries, showcasing the universal power of education to drive progress and change.
Celebrating the Indian Finalists
Subash Chandar K – New Zealand
Ormiston Junior College
Subash Chandar K, an Indian-origin mathematics educator in New Zealand, has revolutionized teaching through innovation and resilience. Despite early academic struggles, Subash turned his challenges into a driving force to help others. He launched the InfinityPlusOne YouTube channel, offering free math tutorials tailored to New Zealand’s curriculum. His creative methods, such as using Sphero robots to teach trigonometry and hosting live-streamed exam tutorials, have drastically reduced failure rates and empowered students to excel.
Subash’s commitment extends beyond the classroom. He organizes events like the Ormiston Maths Day and the upcoming Innovation Exchange 25, fostering collaboration among educators. His “Butterfly Effect” project teaches students to recycle waste into valuable products, promoting sustainability.
Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati – India
Government Sanskrit Secondary School, Bhopa ka Bas
Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati, a teacher in Rajasthan’s Sanskrit Education Department, has spent over two decades transforming rural education. Born into a farming family, Imran began tutoring children at a young age to support his family. Today, he is a pioneer in using technology to bridge educational gaps.
Imran has developed over 100 educational apps, freely available on the Google Play Store, with millions of installs across 50 countries. His apps cover subjects like mathematics, science, and history, as well as health and social welfare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he created the Devvani app to support online learning for Sanskrit students, benefiting over 60,000 users.
Imran’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including the National Teacher Award and recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His initiatives, such as LetUsTalkEducation and Masti ki Pathshala, have empowered students and teachers alike, fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity.
Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan – Oman
Prakramika Vocational Institute
Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan is a trailblazer in inclusive education and vocational training for neurodivergent individuals.
After a life-changing encounter with a child with autism, she transitioned from a career in software engineering to special education. In 2021, she founded the Prakramika Vocational Institute (PVI), offering free skill-based training to neurodivergent students in India, Oman, the UAE, and the USA.
Dr. Narasimhan’s innovative curriculum, outlined in her book INVAS, equips students with practical skills in graphic design, hospitality, and leadership. Her “Unifying Pathways – One School, Many Abilities” project integrates mainstream and special education, fostering acceptance and collaboration.
Her work has been recognized by the United Nations and the Prime Minister of India, and she continues to inspire educators worldwide with her commitment to inclusion and empowerment.
Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher Prize and Chairman of the Varkey Foundation, emphasized the importance of recognizing teachers: “The Global Teacher Prize was created to spotlight the critical role of education in addressing the major challenges of our time – from combating climate change to reducing inequality and navigating technological change. I congratulate all top 50 finalists, who are joining a global community of educators leading the way to build a better future.”
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, added: “UNESCO is proud to support the Global Teacher Prize, which honours the dedication and impact of teachers worldwide. In a time of global teacher shortages, challenging conditions, and technological advances, recognising and investing in teachers is essential to building a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.”
Lisa Crausby, Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, praised the finalists: “At GEMS Education, we see first-hand the transformative impact that teachers have on the lives of young people worldwide. Every day, they inspire, uplift, and nurture the minds of future generations.”
