Robin Chaurasiya, an Indian teacher who runs a non-profit school in Mumbai for girls from the city’s red light areas has been named in the top 10 short-list for a global prize for teachers. Robin Chaurasiya, founder of Kranti, will compete with teachers from the UK, US, Nairobi, Palestine, Japan, Finland, Australia and Pakistan to win the $1-million Global Teacher Prize 2016.

The Global Teacher Prize was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. The top ten have been narrowed down from 8,000 nominations and applications from 148 countries from around the world. By highlighting their stories the Varkey Foundation hopes that the public will be able to join in passionate debates about the importance of teachers. The winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on Sunday 13 March 2016.

Image Source – Global Teacher Prize

Robin Chaurasiya

The people of Kamathipura, Mumbai’s notorious red-light district, are on the outer margins of society. However, a small schoolroom in the centre of the district is a remarkable force for change. There, Robin Chaurasiya is giving the girls an education where none had existed before. She teaches them to think and speak for themselves. And they are finding a voice, spreading the word to others in the community and to over 100,000 children and parents.