RIYADH: Saeed Salem Abdullah Al-Zahrani, a primary school teacher at Al-Mutrafiyah Elementary School in Jubail Industrial City, has been shortlisted for the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026.
Al-Zahrani has been named on the top 50 shortlist for the prize, a Varkey Foundation initiative organized in collaboration with UNESCO.
He was selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications from 139 countries.
Now in its 10th year, the $1 million prize is the largest of its kind. It was set up to recognize one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society.
By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes who have transformed young people’s lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of teachers all over the world.
