Catholic University Offers The Best Teacher, Peter Tabichi Masters Scholarship
When Peter Tabichi a teacher from a local school was nominated as a finalist in the global teacher award, never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that he would be among the finalist of the coveted prize. Today Peter Tabichi is the winner of the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2019. The award saw him beat 10,000 other nominations from 179 countries.
After Tabichi took his first vows as a Franciscan Brother, his first undertaking was in Uganda. He worked in a school called Ofaka Secondary in Northern Uganda in a village called Adra. After several years of teaching, he moved from Uganda to Kenya to work in one of the Catholic Schools, St. Francis Secondary School in Lare, Nakuru Diocese.
It is while he was in St. Francis that his mission became clearer and wanted to do more for the children and the surrounding community.
Around this time the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) employed him permanently. This is the government body that employs teachers in Kenya. With this he now had a permanent and pensionable salary from the government and at this point now is when he moved schools from St. Francis to now Keriko Secondary. Mr. Tabichi has been a teacher for twelve years now.
While opening the Catholic Private Education Institution Association (CaPEIA) conference, on Tuesday 9 th April 2019, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue lauded
Tabichi’s efforts and urged teachers to emulate his actions to improve the education of our students in the Catholic Schools. “Tabichi is a good example of what Catholic education should look like”, said His Eminence.
Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua the Vice Chancellor Catholic University who was once Tabichi’s lecturer at Moi University congratulated him on his efforts thus far. “It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to congratulate my former student.” He went on to say that Tabichi was a great student and that what he has achieved today is as a result of hard work and dedication towards his work.
“The Catholic University is ready to offer you a scholarship in masters degree Tabichi”, Said the Chancellor. This university wants to equip you with the best skills so that you can continue serving the students at the highest level added the Vice-chancellor.
Speaking at the conference, Tabichi acknowledged that humility is the virtue that will do miracles. “I think humility is the trick that people need to embrace and as teachers, if we are humble we will inspire many students.” Said Tabichi.
During his time as a teacher, he has employed some techniques that have catapulted him to be the great teacher he is today. He did share some pointers with the Principles in attendance:
- A teacher has to be creative.
- A teacher has to use modern methods of teaching and teach learners about global values.
- Teachers should embrace the effective use of technology.
- A teacher should be humble, resilient and selfless.
- A teacher must have passion and commitment.
- Do more and talk less.
In a perfect world with all the resources and support, Tabichi envisions seeing his learners grow in knowledge, skills and confidence, and when they become resilient, creative and productive in the society there is satisfaction in both the student and the teacher.
Peter Tabichi is a math and physics teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School, Nakuru. He is a Franciscan brother who gives 80% of his salary to the needy and less fortunate in the school he teaches.
He has also been able to mentor students through the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair 2018 where students showcased a device they had invented to allow blind and deaf people to measure objects.
This saw this village school come first nationally in the public schools’ category. The Mathematical Science team also qualified to participate at the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair 2019 in Arizona, USA, for which they are currently preparing for.
His students have also won an award from The Royal Society of Chemistry after harnessing local plant life to generate electricity.
He plans to donate 80% of his prize money to continue in his work of assisting needy students in his school and the surrounding community.
