A British teacher has won a $1 million prize to recognize the crucial yet often undervalued role of teachers — something that experts warn developing countries in particular need to embrace in order to address the global “learning crisis.”

Now in its fourth year, the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize — sometimes described as the “Nobel prize” for teachers — was awarded to Andria Zafirakou at a glitzy ceremony at the end of the two-day Global Skills & Education Forum, a Davos-style event to raise the status of global education.

The forum saw some 3,000 education advocates, edtech developers, politicians, and celebrities gather in Dubai over the weekend for discussions, panels, and presentations on the theme of “how to prepare young people for the world of 2030 and beyond” and address the broader reality that not only are global education goals off track, but public financing for schools is also declining.

The prize has seen a growing number of entries from developing countries, many experimenting with innovative methods to help improve learning outcomes among their students.

Zafirakou, who teaches at an inner-city school in London, was praised for her work to reach marginalized pupils, often those from ethnic minorities, and ensure they feel included in school life. This has included helping launch a Somali school choir and forming a girls-only cricket team that is acceptable to more conservative parents.

Read the full article about the "nobel prize for teaching" by Sophie Edwards at Devex International Development.