Top teacher Peter Tabichi to address UN forum

Mr Peter Tabichi receives a thunderous welcome on April 4, 2019 from his students at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Nakuru after winning the Global Teacher Prize. He is set to address the United Nations. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The 36-year-old is a teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in remote Pwani village of Njoro, Nakuru County.
  • Tabichi will follow dialogue on financing for development, high-level meeting on elimination of nuclear weapons and updates on SDGs.

The global teacher prize winner, Peter Tabichi, will have another moment of fame as he carries the Kenyan flag high in New York.

Tabichi, who is a science teacher, is set to become the first teacher in the history of Kenya’s teaching profession by addressing the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly.

Brother Tabichi, who is a member of the Franciscan friars, a religious order founded by St Francis of Asisi in the 13th century, will recite the popular prayer of St Francis before the start of the General Assembly on Tuesday.

He is expected to give brief remarks on how he made it to the top of the world in the teaching profession.

The assembly starts its session on Tuesday in New York City and top on the agenda is a climate summit, universal health coverage and political forum on sustainable development.

GREAT HONOUR

Other topics that Tabichi will follow live include dialogue on financing for development, high-level meeting on the elimination of nuclear weapons and updates on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 36-year-old is a teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in remote Pwani village of Njoro, Nakuru County.

According to the head of St Franciscan friars in the world, Brother Tony Donald, Brother Tabichi will recite the famous prayer of St Francis of Asisi at the opening of the general assembly.

“That is a big honour for Franciscan brothers and it shows how a body like the UN recognises our order, as it plays a key role in the development of humanity,” he said.

Brother Donald, from Ireland, was speaking at the Molo Novitiate on Saturday when he received six young men from Kenya and Uganda who have joined the order.

AMBASSADOR

Two brothers made their first vows, while seven renewed their vows in a colourful ceremony attended by guests from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“Brother Tabichi is an ambassador of Kenya and the Catholic Church, and this emphasises Franciscan friars’ selfless commitment and mission to care for the earth and peace building,” he said.

Father Eladius Tairo from Mbarara Archdiocese in Uganda said the honour bestowed on Brother Tabichi to address the world is a big lesson to the world about the role of Franciscan brothers.