As the world marks the World Teachers Day, Kenya takes pride in its global icon Peter Tabichi, whose achievements have seen him rub shoulders with the high and mighty.
Mr Tabichi, a math and science teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Nakuru County, has become a trailblazer on the global stage since he won the 2019 Global Teacher Prize for his dedication.
Most celebrated abroad, he has engaged world leaders as he seeks to inspire the young generation across the globe to join the teaching profession and push for change by offering solutions to challenges.
He recently met US President Donald Trump, attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and is currently visiting various learning and corporate institutions in the UK to give talks on his experience and aspirations as a teacher.
Tabichi had the honour to open the US Congress with the Franciscan prayer for peace in Washington DC and shared his views with President Trump on the importance of supporting science and education in Africa. “It was a great honour and privilege to meet the US President. I was quite happy and I took the opportunity to tell him about where and how I teach. I told him about Kenya and the challenges we go through and how a teacher comes in to offer solutions,” he said of his meeting with Trump. He said he told Trump how teaching is a noble profession. “I encouraged him and appreciated his role towards promoting science and education in Africa,” he said.
UN meeting
For his address at the sessional meeting at the UNGA, he said it was a privilege. “Sitting next to global leaders, education ministers and development agencies at a UN event in New York was a dream. God has his own plan,” he said.
“Coming from a very remote village in Kisii County, I didn’t see myself where I am today. I derive satisfaction from the progress of my students. I share my experience with the aspiration that my colleagues in the profession will do better,” he added.
Tabichi said governments should not take teaching lightly. “We can achieve and leapfrog the true potential of Africa’s youth. We have a lot to do, so let’s give our 100 per cent to this cause,” he said. Tabichi won the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2019. The Varkey Foundation is an international organisation headquartered in the UK, with offices in Dubai, Ghana, Uganda and Argentina. Its aim is to improve education for poor children.
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