She turned abandoned slum walls into classrooms across 100+ communities; Mumbai artist Rouble Nagi wins the $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026

Rouble Nagi wins $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026; turns abandoned walls into classrooms for children​

An abandoned wall in a neighbourhood rarely attracts much attention. But for Indian artist and educator Rouble Nagi, it can become a classroom, a learning resource and a starting point for a child’s education. Over the past two decades, she has transformed neglected walls into interactive educational murals, using art to bring learning closer to children in underserved communities.Nagi has now been named the winner of the $1 million GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026, an initiative of the Varkey Foundation organised in collaboration with UNESCO. Her name was announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where she was selected from more than 5,000 nominations and applications representing 139 countries. Now in its tenth year, the award is among the largest global recognitions for educators.

From neglected walls to open-air classrooms

At the centre of Nagi’s work is her concept of ‘Living Walls of Learning’. Through this initiative, broken and abandoned walls are converted into large-scale educational murals that introduce children to subjects such as literacy, numeracy, science, hygiene, history and environmental awareness.The murals are designed as interactive learning spaces rather than decorative artwork. They encourage children to explore concepts visually and make learning accessible in neighbourhoods where conventional educational infrastructure may be limited.Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF), she has established more than 800 learning centres across over 100 underserved communities and villages in India. These centres provide children who have never attended school with opportunities to begin structured learning and eventually enter the formal education system. They also offer remedial support, creative activities and a safe learning environment to children already enrolled in schools.Over the years, her initiatives have helped bring more than one million children into the formal education system. Nagi has also recruited and trained over 600 volunteer and paid educators to work across the foundation’s learning centres.

Rouble Nagi wins $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026 for turning abandoned walls into classrooms

Making education accessible to marginalised children

Nagi’s work addresses challenges that often prevent children from attending school, including poverty, child labour, early marriage, irregular attendance and inadequate infrastructure. Her approach takes these circumstances into account while designing learning programmes.The centres follow flexible schedules to accommodate children who work or have household responsibilities. Lessons also use recycled materials and hands-on activities to explain concepts, allowing children to participate without depending on expensive educational resources.According to the foundation, its programmes have reduced dropout rates by more than 50% and improved long-term school retention. Nagi also travels across India to work with children and mentor educators who lead the centres.Sunny Varkey, founder of the Global Teacher Prize, GEMS Education and the Varkey Foundation, said Nagi’s work demonstrated how creativity and commitment could help bring education to marginalised communities. UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini also congratulated her, highlighting the role of teachers in helping children access education and build opportunities for their future.

Meet Rouble Nagi, Indian educator transforming neglected walls into learning spaces for over one million children

Plans for a skilling institute

Nagi plans to use the $1 million prize money to establish a Skilling Institute that will provide free vocational and digital literacy training to marginalised children and young people. The proposed institute is intended to extend her work beyond foundational education and provide access to practical skills.Her work in education runs alongside an established career in art and urban renewal. Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation and Rouble Nagi Design Studio, she has created more than 850 murals and sculptures and participated in over 200 exhibitions worldwide.A member of the India Design Council, Nagi was the first artist invited to exhibit at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum. Her work has also been selected for the President of India’s permanent collection. Among her other recognitions are the Jijamata Award, GR8 Award, MAP Noble Artist Award and HELLO! Urja Award.