India, Feb. 6 -- Rouble Nagi, an activist and art teacher known for painting educational murals across the walls of slums in Mumbai and other cities, won the $1-million Global Teacher Prize on Thursday. Nagi accepted the award at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, an annual event that draws leaders from across the globe.

The award recognises individuals who have contributed to education beyond classrooms and empowers communities.

Nagi's Rouble Nagi Art Foundation has established more than 800 learning centres across India. These centres encourage children outside the formal education system to begin structured learning. They also support children enrolled in schools. Nagi's murals teach literacy, science, mathematics and history, am...