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Art Transforms Walls Into Classrooms, Wins Global Prize
31 Oct
Summary
- Artist Rouble Nagi won the $1M GEMS Global Teacher Prize 2026.
- Her 'Living Walls of Learning' initiative educates underserved children.
- She plans to use prize money for a vocational skilling institute.
Indian artist and educator Rouble Nagi has been honored with the $1 million GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026. Announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, she was selected from over 5,000 nominations worldwide. Nagi's "Living Walls of Learning" initiative repurposes abandoned walls into large-scale educational murals.
These interactive murals introduce children to subjects like literacy, numeracy, science, and hygiene in communities with limited educational infrastructure. Through her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, Nagi has established more than 800 learning centers across India, aiding over one million children in accessing formal education and providing remedial support.
Nagi's work addresses barriers such as poverty and child labor by offering flexible schedules and utilizing recycled materials. Her programs have demonstrably reduced dropout rates by over 50%. She intends to use the prize money to create a Skilling Institute for free vocational and digital literacy training.
Alongside her art career, where she has created over 850 murals and sculptures, Nagi's dedication to education has been globally recognized. The initiative aims to provide marginalized youth with practical skills beyond foundational learning.
