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Palestinian teacher receives education award

Brandon ConradisMarch 14, 2016

A teacher from the West Bank has been awarded a prize worth $1 million by an influential nonprofit. The former refugee was honored for her important contribution to the teaching profession.

https://p.dw.com/p/1ICaB
Hanan al-Hroub
Image: Reuters/M. Torokman

Hanan al-Hroub, a primary school teacher from the West Bank city of al-Bireh, received the second annual Global Teacher Prize on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she was cheered on by her fellow Palestinians.

Al-Hroub was chosen for her innovative approach to teaching, which emphasizes learning through play.

The $1 million (897 million euro) award is given out by the London-based Varkey Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote the teaching profession by honoring those educators who positively influence the field.

Proud to be Palestinian

Several notable international leaders - including Pope Francis, Prince William of Britain and US Vice President Joe Biden - recorded messages for the awards ceremony.

"I am proud to be a Palestinian female teacher standing on this stage," Al-Hroub said as she collected the award.

The teacher said she would use the prize money to establish a scholarship to help promote her teaching methods, as well as support other Palestinian teachers.

blc/jm (AP, Reuters)