By Staff Reporter
A Chemistry and Physics teacher at St Francis Misyani Girls High School in Machakos has been shortlisted among the Top 50 finalists for the 2026 Global Teacher Prize, which carries a cash award of Sh129 million.
Mr Shalom Maweu Sila was recognised for his work in learning innovation, digital education and promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among girls in rural Machakos County.
Prize organisers said Mr Sila’s initiatives have helped expand access to quality education in underserved areas, particularly in Physics and Chemistry, subjects long viewed as male-dominated.
Since joining the school in 2014, he has introduced learner-centred and technology-driven teaching methods that have improved both participation and performance. Girls’ enrolment in Physics rose from nine per cent in 2016 to 43 per cent in 2025, alongside a steady increase in the number of candidates attaining a C+ grade and above.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Sila coordinated a nationwide remote learning programme that brought together more than 300 volunteer teachers to deliver lessons through online platforms. The initiative later informed government-led remote learning efforts, with Mr Sila appointed a national master trainer on digital teaching methodologies.
Beyond academics, he co-founded a school-based foundation that has supported more than 150 girls through scholarships and the provision of essential learning materials, helping keep vulnerable learners in school.
Kenya previously won the Global Teacher Prize in 2019 through Peter Tabichi, a Franciscan brother and science teacher from Nakuru County. Mr Tabichi was recognised for improving access to education in marginalised communities and using limited resources to support disadvantaged learners. His win elevated Kenya’s profile on the global education stage.
The Teachers Service Commission congratulated Mr Sila on his nomination, terming it a significant milestone for Kenyan educators and a reflection of the country’s growing impact in global education.