Ranjitsinh Disale from Solapur won the title of ‘World’s Most Exceptional Teacher’ on the Global Teacher Prize 2020

Ranjitsinh Disale, a government school teacher at Zilla Parishad Primary School in Solapur has been awarded the Global Teacher Prize 2020 and prize money of $1 million, half of which he shared with the nine teachers who made it to the final top 10, which made him the World’s Most Exceptional teacher.

“I’ll have gained the award however I can’t change the world alone, one Ranjitsinh Disale can’t do it on his proposal. And that’s why I decided to get extra palms-on board” as quoted by Ranjitsinh Disale. 

The Global Teacher Prize is an annual award instituted by the Varkey Basis. Among 1,200 applications of teachers from over 140 countries, this man was selected due to his outstanding effort in the field of education as well as for throwing light on the role which a teacher plays in society.

Ranjitsinh Disale, focused mainly on promoting girl’s education. He also translated books into their mother tongue for their convenience. Not only this, he put the QR codes on these books so that they can get access to audio poems, videos, and different assignments. As the years passed, the learning became fun and interactive and one of the reasons for winning this award is that his school has been recorded with 100 percent attendance in the district.

In 2009, over a decade ago Ranjitsinh Disale, an engineering dropout joined the primary school in remote Paritewadi village located in Solapur on the recommendation of his father. He was not sure whether he would like it or not but he stayed and completed it.

The most inspiring thing which touches the heart of everyone is that Ranjitsinh Disale said to the host of this event, Stephen Fry over in an interview that he would distribute half of the amount equally to the other nine nominations in the list of 10 for their exceptional work in their career. 

Out of the remaining amount, 30% would invest in establishing a Teacher Innovation Fund which will help a teacher like him to bring different ideas for the future of children. He said that “I want to give every teacher an opportunity to make a change.”

Ranjitsinh Disale has already been recognized by Microsoft as the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and in 2018 he won the National Innovation Foundation’s Innovator of the Year.

For more such stories explore our Inspiring Section