Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

British Art Teacher Named World's Best

British teacher Andria Zafirakou has won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize in a star-studded ceremony that was held in Dubai on Sunday.

Zafirakou works in one of the UK's poorest areas and she was among the 10 finalists from around the globe in the running for the annual award.


Zafirakou was congratulated by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and British Prime Minister Theresa May shortly after the award ceremony.

"Congratulations to Andria Zafirakou for having won the Global Teacher award," tweeted Sheikh Mohammed , adding that teaching is the greatest job ever.

British Prime Minister May, in a video message broadcast at the gala event, said: "Being a great teacher requires resilience, ingenuity, and a generous heart.  These are the qualities that you share with your students every day. So thank you for all you have done and continue to do."

Sunday's event, which was hosted by Trevor Noah, saw Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton racing to the venue to deliver the trophy. It also included a performance by Jennifer Hudson.

Brent is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the country, and Zafirakou’s efforts to ensure all her students feel included has been lauded both by the teaching fraternity as well as parents.

But it has not been an easy task. Students at her school spoke a wide range of languages including Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil and Portuguese, and Zafirakou has learnt basic greetings in as many as 35 languages as a step to connect with her pupils.

It has also helped her interact with parents who do not speak English.

Sunday's event was the fourth time Dubai-based Varkey Foundation was organising the event. The winner will be paid $1 million in installments over the course of 10 years if she continues teaching for at least five more years.

More For You

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017. (Photo credit: Twitter)

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

A COURT in India has found Vikat Bhagat guilty of the rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin.

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alderman Alastair King

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, 'Growth Unleashed.'

Lord Mayor of London to visit India for trade talks

THE LORD MAYOR of London, Alderman Alastair King, is set to visit India for a week starting Saturday, aiming to promote free trade and capital flows between the two countries.

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, “Growth Unleashed.”

Keep ReadingShow less
trump-modi-washington-getty

The meeting came hours after Trump criticised India’s business environment and announced plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on US imports. (Photo: Getty Images)

Modi and Trump agree to resolve trade disputes, discuss tariff concerns

INDIA and the US have agreed to begin negotiations aimed at resolving trade and tariff disputes, following talks between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump in Washington.

India has committed to increasing purchases of US oil, gas, and defence equipment, while both sides pledged to address trade barriers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pablo-Escobar-merchandise-Getty

Escobar, killed by security forces in 1993, remains a figure of global interest, with his image appearing on souvenirs like T-shirts, mugs, and keychains. (Photo: Getty Images)

Colombia considers ban on Pablo Escobar merchandise

COLOMBIA’s Congress is considering a bill that would ban the sale of merchandise featuring drug lord Pablo Escobar and other convicted criminals.

The proposed law aims to curb the glorification of Escobar, who was responsible for thousands of deaths during his time leading the Medellín cartel, reported BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Polls show most Britons back assisted dying, with supporters calling for the law to reflect public opinion.

Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Eastern Eye

THE proposed new assisted dying law for terminally ill people will be amended to remove the requirement that a high court judge sign off on each case, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said on Tuesday (11).

Opponents of assisted dying said the change would weaken the safeguards around protecting vulnerable people from being coerced or pressured into taking their own lives.

Keep ReadingShow less