When Shallom Maweu Sila volunteered to teach students online during the Covid-19 pandemic, he had no idea the world would take notice.
The Chemistry and Physics teacher at Misyani Girls Secondary School in Machakos County has now earned global recognition after being named among the 50 finalists for the prestigious 2026 Global Teacher Prize.
The Global Teacher Prize, whose ultimate award is Sh130 million, is a flagship initiative of the Varkey Foundation, a charity that influences global education by recognising outstanding teachers whose work has transformed learners and communities.
Sila, 35, is the only Kenyan on this year’s shortlist, which was drawn from thousands of applications worldwide.
Shallom Maweu Sila during an interview with Daily Nation at Katyethoka Village in Kitui County on December 17, 2025.
Photo credit: Pius Maundu | Nation
A visiting Nation team found Mr Sila celebrating the recognition at his home in Katyethoka Village, Kitui County.
“Making it to the Global Teacher Prize shortlist is a big deal. It is a recognition not only for me but also for every teacher in Kenya who works under difficult conditions yet refuses to give up on learners,” the father of three.
Mr Sila’s nomination on Monday highlights his dedication to promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education among girls in rural areas. The shortlist announcement places him on a path already trodden by Peter Tabichi, the Kenyan science teacher who won the 2019 Global Teacher Prize.
The Global Teacher Prize cited Mr Sila’s innovative online teaching during the pandemic and his commitment to rural STEM education.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, Shallom played a historic role in safeguarding learning continuity across Kenya. As one of the earliest adopters of remote learning, he collaborated with 300 volunteer teachers to deliver nationwide online lessons through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other platforms. Attendance grew from two students in the first week to more than 10,000 weekly learners by week seventeen, representing an unprecedented national milestone,” the citation reads.
“Owing to the programme’s success, the Government of Kenya adopted it as a formal learning-continuity model and selected Shallom as a national master trainer and champion teacher for remote learning methodologies,” it adds.
Shallom Maweu Sila during an interview with Daily Nation at Katyethoka Village in Kitui County on December 17, 2025.
Photo credit: Pius Maundu | Nation
Even after schools reopened for face-to-face teaching, Mr Sila continued to champion digital and innovative learning. He co-founded a community of practice for invention educators, bringing together stakeholders to enhance education outcomes nationally and internationally through inventive pedagogies.
He has also integrated technologies such as virtual laboratories, gamified learning, live-streamed lessons, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence into classrooms, significantly improving learning outcomes.
“Using digital tools and platforms in schools makes learning interactive and engaging. Many girls have changed their negative attitudes toward STEM subjects. More than 50 former students now pursue STEM degrees and technical careers,” he said.
Mr Sila has also established a school-based programme supporting more than 150 girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing bursaries, scholarships, sanitary towels, and mentorship through STEM ambassadors.
Passionate about the environment, he incorporates climate action lessons through school biogas management, organic farming, and student-led sustainability projects that reduce waste and cut energy costs.
This year, Mr Sila was also the first runner-up in the African Union Continental Best Teacher Award. The government has recognised him as a leading voice in promoting STEM subjects, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) honoured him during World Teachers’ Day on October 5 for his exemplary service.
“Thank you for amplifying the teaching profession and inspiring the world,” the agency said.
“We are very excited. We thank God for the nomination. It is quite an honor for the school community, the education fraternity, and our nation. It shows that the efforts we put into teaching learners, sometimes without thinking twice, can attract global recognition,” she said.
The winner of the Global Teacher Prize will be announced in Dubai in February next year. If he wins, Mr Sila plans to set up an innovation and ICT hub in Machakos County to help learners, especially girls from disadvantaged communities, access digital resources needed to foster innovation.
“This award is a motivation for me, my colleagues, and all teachers in the country who wake up early and stay late to mentor learners. If I win, I plan to establish the hub to help students gain access to resources that nurture creativity and innovation,” he said.
