KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian-born teacher currently teaching in Cambodia is in the running for the US$1 million Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize, having been named as among the top 10 finalists for the award.

Madenjit Singh, along with the other nine finalists will be flown to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for the March 15 award ceremony at the Global Education and Skills Forum.

The other contenders represent Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Kenya, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, as well as three finalists from the United States, according to a statement issued by the foundation.

It said that Madenjit Singh currently taught at the Grassroots Development Institute-Science of Life Studies (GDI-SOLS) 24/7 School in Cambodia.

The SOLS 24/7 non-governmental organisation set up by him offers a free comprehensive two-year training programme, providing life skills for disadvantaged youths.

The organisation now runs 185 schools – some in remote villages – in Malaysia, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Laos and India.

The top 10 finalists were narrowed down from the top 50 shortlisted candidates chosen from over 5,000 nominations and 1,300 final applications from 127 countries.– BERNAMA