St. Francis Misyani Girls Secondary School in Kangundo is once again in the national spotlight after its renowned physics teacher, Mr. Shalom Sila, was named among the Top 50 finalists for the 2025 Global Teacher Prize, one of the most prestigious international recognitions for educators.
The latest milestone comes shortly after Mr. Sila’s continental success, where he emerged 1st Runner-Up in the African Union Continental Teacher of the Year Awards, cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s most outstanding educators. His selection among the Global Top 50 now places Misyani Girls, Kangundo, Machakos County, and Kenya on the global education stage.
Organised by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO, the Global Teacher Prize celebrates teachers whose contributions have profoundly impacted students and communities. The 2025 edition attracted tens of thousands of nominations from across the world, highlighting the significance of Mr. Sila’s recognition.
At St. Francis Misyani Girls, Mr. Sila is widely celebrated for his innovative teaching methods in physics, mentorship of learners, and dedication to academic excellence, particularly in empowering girls in science. His work has not only boosted learner performance but also inspired fellow teachers to embrace creativity and passion in the classroom.
Following the Top 50 announcement, Mr. Sila now advances to the next stage of the global competition, which will narrow down to Top 10 finalists before a winner is announced at an international ceremony next year. The overall winner will receive USD 1 million, designed to expand the reach and impact of their educational work.
Kenya has previously made history in the competition, most notably in 2019 when Peter Tabichi became the first African to win the Global Teacher Prize. Mr. Sila’s achievement signals Kenya’s continued ability to produce world-class educators despite the challenges facing the education sector.
As messages of congratulations pour in from students, colleagues, education leaders, and residents of Kangundo, the moment is being hailed as a source of pride not only for Machakos County but for the entire nation.
“Kudos to Teacher Shalom Sila — Kenya is cheering for you,” many have echoed, celebrating one of the country’s finest educators on the global stage
