From slum walls to classrooms: Mumbai artist wins $1 million Global Teacher Prize

Indian artist and educator Rouble Nagi has won the $1 million GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026 for transforming neglected walls into interactive learning spaces for children in underserved communities. Through her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has established over 800 learning centres across more than 100 communities, helping over one million children access formal education. Nagi plans to use the prize money to establish a Skilling Institute offering free vocational and digital literacy training.