Maharashtra Teacher Wins $1 Million, Says Will Share Half With Finalists
Ranjitsinh Disale, 32, from Paritewadi village in Maharashtra's Solapur district, is the ultimate winner among 10 finalists from across the world for the Global Teacher Prize 2020. When Ranjitsinh Disale began his journey as an assistant teacher in 2009, the Zilla Parishad Primary School,Paritewadi Taluk, Madha, Solapur District of Maharashtra State was a dilapidated building which located next to a cattle shed. That kind of depressing environment doesn’t stop his passion to try innovative ideas in education. The determined teacher with his curious mindset to change everything initiated several innovative projects to uplift the poor and downtrodden students. His innovative project of ‘QR Coded Text Books” gave him the pan India acceptance. Understanding the technical innovation, the government of Maharashtra had implemented this project for all curricular books in Maharashtra. Soon, various other state governments also followed suit.
After winning this prestigious award, Disale graciously announced that he will be sharing 50 per cent of his prize money with his fellow finalists to support their ‘incredible work.’ It created a situation where the other nine finalists will receive just over $55000 each, and doing so, the kind-hearted teacher made history as the first winner to share his prize money.
Teachers like Ranjitsinh will stop climate change and build more peaceful and just societies. Teachers like Ranjitsinh will eliminate inequalities and drive forward economic growth. Teachers like Ranjitsinh will save our future," said Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director General for Education at UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). UNESCO is a partner of the initiative.
by
Srini