Saudi Arabian educator Mansour bin Abdullah Al-Mansour has been named the winner of the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2025, a prestigious initiative by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO. The annual $1 million award, now in its ninth year, honours exceptional teachers who make significant contributions to their profession and society.
A teacher at Prince Saud bin Jalawi School in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, Mansour was selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications spanning 89 countries. The announcement took place during a grand ceremony at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
A Legacy of Impactful Teaching
Since 2001, Mansour has been dedicated to educating students in low-income neighbourhoods, including those with disabilities, learning difficulties, and children from illiterate families. He started his career in a small, rented school building—once operating from the kitchen—and has since transformed it into one of Saudi Arabia’s top 10 institutions for gifted education.
To support his students, Mansour facilitated access to premier talent and creativity centres in the Kingdom, connected them with leading professors at King Faisal University through mentorship programmes, and established an innovation incubator to foster young minds. His initiatives have led to numerous accolades for his students on global platforms.
Empowering Underprivileged Students
Mansour played a pivotal role in the ‘Riyali Financial Awareness Initiative,’ designed to teach financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills to low-income students. Through this initiative, he helped students establish small businesses with interest-free loans of 500 SAR. Some students now earn between 1,300-2,500 SAR monthly, with one student successfully launching a stable small business.
In addition to his work in classrooms, Mansour has volunteered over 3,000 hours, dedicating his time to teaching 250 gifted orphans, equipping them with essential life skills. With his Global Teacher Prize award, he plans to build a dedicated school to support these talented children.
Rehabilitation Through Education
Beyond the classroom, Mansour leads educational programmes for prison inmates, teaching them literacy skills and offering them a second chance at life. His efforts have contributed to reduced sentences for several prisoners. He is also a co-founder of multiple charitable and humanitarian organisations, including the Qabas Educational Association, which provides literacy programmes to over 3,250 learners.
A Global Educational Ambassador
Mansour’s contributions extend to fellow educators. Having authored 21 books on education, including innovative teaching techniques and professional ethics, he has conducted over 300 training hours for teachers across the Gulf region. His outstanding work led to his appointment as an international ambassador for the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation in Dubai, where he trains educators across the Middle East.
A Celebration of Excellence in Teaching
Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher Prize and GEMS Education and Chairman of the Varkey Foundation, praised Mansour’s achievement: “Congratulations to Mansour on winning the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2025. Your inspiring journey is a testament to the transformative power of education.”
Upon receiving the award, Mansour expressed his gratitude: “Thank you to GEMS Education, the Varkey Foundation, and UNESCO for this incredible honour. Every child deserves the opportunity to shine, and I will continue my mission to ensure no young person is left behind.”
Recognising Global Talent in Education
Mansour was selected from an impressive pool of educators worldwide. The top 10 finalists for the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2025 included:
– Brett Dascombe (Australia)
– Céline Haller (France)
– Erick Hueck (United States)
– Karina Sarro (Argentina)
– Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati (India)
– Muhammad Nazmi (Malaysia)
– Ramón Majé Floriano (Colombia)
– Subash Chandar K (New Zealand)
– Tionge Mtambo (Malawi)
Mansour bin Abdullah Al-Mansour’s remarkable dedication to education, social impact, and mentorship has set a benchmark for teachers globally. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the profound role educators play in shaping the future.
