Hollywood star Huge Jackman announced India's Swaroop Rawal's name among the list of top ten teachers released by Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize. (Photo courtesy: globalteacherprize.org)

It's a proud moment for India as Indian actor and life skills teacher Swaroop Rawal has been recognized as one of the best teachers globally by the Global Teacher Prize 2019 for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize. Known for her unique teaching technique, Rawal has been selected among the list of top 10 finalists announced by Hugh Jackman on Thursday, February 21, 2019. It is for the first time that the organization has announced the US$1 million award is the largest prize of its kind.

Shortlisted by the Global Teacher Prize Committee from a worldwide top 50, she will now be competing with teachers from the Netherlands, UK, US, Georgia, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Japan and Kenya.

Who is Swaroop Rawal?

Born on November 03, 1958, Swaroop Rawal earned fame as an actor

She won the Miss India contest in 1979

She studied PhD in Education from the University of Worcester

She has been teaching children from different backgrounds in India, traveling, and conducting workshops

Earlier, then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi selected her for an educational program for children

Currently, she is teaching at Lavad Primary School in Gujarat.

Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) selection

She stood victorious over 10,000 nominations and applications across 179 countries for the annual prize.

The award for the Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) will be announced next month in Dubai.

A moment of joy for Swaroop Rawal

In a response to the announcement, Rawal told PTI, "This solidifies that some very special people are noticing and celebrating the work done by teachers."

Here's what she has to say about education

Given the scale of the education challenge world over, I strongly believe every effort made in education should be celebrated and thus I congratulate my fellow teachers; those have made to the list and also those who haven't.

Rawal says she went into teaching to accomplish two goals to help make children more resilient through life skills education and to bring new methods to teaching.

I want my children to be equipped with life skills that not only make them resilient but emotionally empowered. I want life skills education in all schools, for all children, from all age groups, she said.

How was she selected for such a prestigious honour?

According to the Global Teacher Prize, her teaching has reached children on the streets, in rural communities, economically and socially disadvantaged children, as well as elite schoolchildren.

In order to reach out to them, Rawal uses drama in education an active, learner-centered method which includes group discussion, brainstorming, debate, games, song, and drawing.

The organisation has appreciated her work and released a video:

Her approach has had an impact on the lives of those she has taught, preventing child marriage in Bhadbhediya and child labour in Sodvadra's diamond polishing industry by facilitating children's return to school.

She has also contributed to the understanding of teaching in India, becoming a teacher-trainer and training over 10,000 teachers.

I hope her story will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and also shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over India and throughout the world every day, said Sunny Varkey, the Indian-origin entrepreneur founder of the UK-based Varkey Foundation.

The thousands of nominations and applications we received from every corner of the planet is a testimony to the achievements of teachers and the enormous impact they have on all of our lives, he said.

Here's what Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, who described teachers as 'superheroes' said:

When I was a kid there were lots of superheroes that I wanted to be. But I can tell you right now, from where I stand, with all my experience, the real superheroes are teachers they're the ones that change the world, said the Australian actor-singer-producer known for roles in the X-Men' film franchise.

List of finalists from across the globe

1. Andrew Moffat MBE, a Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) teacher from Parkfield Community School, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

2. Daisy Mertens, an all subjects teacher at community-based school De Vuurvogel, Helmond, Netherlands

3. Débora Garofalo a Technologies for Learning teacher at EMEF Almirante Ary Parreiras, São Paulo, Brazil

4. Hidekazu Shoto, an English Language and ICT teacher at Ritsumeikan Primary School, Kyoto, Japan

5. Martin Salvetti Head of Automative Studies and Adult Professional Training, at EEST N°5 "2 de Abril" Temperley, Temperley, Buenos Aires, Argentina

6. Melissa Salguero, a Music teacher at P.S.48 Joseph R Drake elementary school, the Bronx, New York, United States

7. Peter Tabichi, a Maths and Physics teacher at Keriko Secondary School, Pwani Village, Nakuru, Kenya

8. Swaroop Rawal, a Life Skills and Drama teacher, at Lavad Primary School, Gujarat and schools across India

9. Vladimer Apkhazava, a Civic Education teacher at Chibati Public School,

10. Tbilisi, Georgia, Yasodai Selvakumaran a History and Society and Culture teacher, at Rooty Hill High School, New South Wales, Australia.