In a proud moment for Kenya’s education sector, Teacher Shalom Maweu Sila, a dedicated Chemistry and Physics teacher at St. Francis Misyani Girls High School in Machakos County, has been selected among the Top 50 finalists for the prestigious 2026 Global Teacher Prize. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has hailed his achievement as “incredible” and applauded his efforts for lifting the profile of the teaching profession both locally and globally.
Shalom Sila’s inclusion in the Top 50 list is a major recognition. The Global Teacher Prize, organised by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO, is one of the world’s most respected awards for educators. Valued at US$1 million (approximately Ksh 129 million), it recognises exceptional teachers who go beyond classroom teaching to transform lives and communities. He was selected from a competitive pool of more than 5,000 nominations submitted from over 139 countries.
Since joining St. Francis Misyani Girls High School in 2014, Sila has been a driving force in innovative, learner‑centred education. His work includes integrating technology into science lessons, improving access to virtual labs, livestreamed learning, robotics, coding, and artificial intelligence—innovations that have helped break cultural barriers and increase girls’ participation in Physics and Chemistry, subjects traditionally dominated by boys in his community.
His impact extended nationwide during the COVID‑19 pandemic, where he collaborated with hundreds of volunteer teachers to deliver online lessons via platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, enabling continuous learning for thousands of students across Kenya. The success of this initiative led the Government of Kenya to adopt it as an official model for remote learning, and Sila was appointed a national master trainer in digital pedagogy.
Beyond academics, Sila has co‑founded a school‑based foundation that provides scholarships, essential supplies, and mentorship to rural girls to help overcome socio‑economic barriers and pursue careers in STEM fields.
The next stage of the competition will narrow down the Top 50 to the Top 10 finalists, with the final winner set to be announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February 2026.
The Teachers Service Commission’s celebration of Shalom Sila’s achievement underscores Kenya’s growing influence in global education excellence and highlights the transformative power of passionate and innovative teachers.
