Bomet teacher Dominic Orina shortlisted for Global Teacher Prize 2024

By Arnold Ageta

A Bomet teacher has been nominated for the prestigious Global Teacher Award, which seeks to acknowledge the impact of outstanding teachers not only on their students but also on the communities around them.

This nomination comes five years after Peter Tabichi, winner of the 2019 award, was celebrated for his efforts in the education sector.

Dominic Orina, a teacher at Kugerwet Primary School in Bomet County, is among the 50 candidates vying for the award.

The award comes with a Sh129 million ($1 million) prize in recognition of the transformative impact teachers have made in diverse environments throughout their careers.

Mr. Orina said that the nomination was made possible with the support of his students, fellow teachers, and parents in his community.

“My students, parents, teachers, and the entire community, let us share this blessing. Improving people’s lives through education is our priority,” read his Facebook page.

Orina shared news of his nomination on his Facebook page, stating: “Overwhelmed and honored to let you know that I have been shortlisted in the top 50 for the 9th Global Teacher Prize!”

He says that being among the 50 shortlisted teachers for the Global Teacher Award reminds him to always strive to do his best, because one never knows who is watching.

Dominic Orina runs a very vibrant 4K Club at his school, where he teaches students self-reliance through farming activities.

His efforts to build resilience among his pupils through farming at his school opened doors for him and earned him a place on the global stage.

Orina, who hails from Nyamira County, was posted to Kugerwet Primary School in 2017, where he established and revamped 4K clubs at the school with the aim of improving food systems.

The club has instilled a spirit of patriotism and unity among the pupils of Kugerwet Primary School in Konoin Constituency.

He urges them to embrace self-reliance in ensuring access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for themselves and their communities.

Unlike in Nyamira, where he used to have a variety of vegetables to eat, the only greens he could find in the Satiet area, where he lives, were collard greens—popularly known as sukuma wiki—and cabbages.

With his vast knowledge of innovative farming, Orina started growing vegetables in plastic containers within the compound, which later inspired many to adopt kitchen gardening.

He invited his pupils to visit him and demonstrate that one can make the most of the little they have through innovation.

Following this visit, Orina’s pupils were motivated and agreed to start their own projects of growing vegetables at school under his guidance.

Later, they also ventured into rabbit rearing. “We asked the school to allocate us land for our project and then started planting vegetables and later rearing rabbits. That project is still ongoing,” Orina said.

All their vegetables are grown organically. The pupils collect the rabbits’ urine, which they use as foliar fertilizer and as a pesticide to keep away aphids and other pests.

The project has become an income-generating activity for the club. During the rainy seasons, they harvest plenty of vegetables and sell them to their teachers and the local community.

Orina uses social media to share their activities, thus attracting support from well-wishers who have supported less fortunate pupils by buying them school uniforms, shoes, and textbooks.

Orina has received various awards from the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO awarded him for his distinguished community service.

He also placed second in three award categories under the Optiven Foundation in 2021.

The Ministry of Education also recognized him for being the best innovative teacher in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) within the Cheptalal zone.

Orina says he was incredulous when he was informed that he was among the 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Award.

He revealed that he had been urged to apply for the global award by his friends and colleagues, who had also recognized his work.

He is optimistic that he will win the award, given the support he has received from well-wishers, his pupils, parents, and the community at large.

“I cannot express how I feel. I am persuaded to believe that I will win this award. If God allows me to do so, then this will be for my country, for the Kugerwet pupils, and the community here,” Orina said.

Orina combines innovation, resilience, and compassion to address challenges faced by his students and community, his impactful work earning him recognition as a transformative force in education.

He recalls that Bomet was dominated by tea farming, a feature that affected the community’s nutrition and his own livelihood.

“Bomet had a widespread lack of vegetables and fruits with limited land access,” he recalls. “I devised a creative solution—using recycled materials such as sacks and containers to grow vegetables.”

He introduced this innovative and successful gardening approach to his students, integrating it into agriculture lessons.

Dominic’s students learn both theory and practice, cultivating vegetables and keeping rabbits on school grounds. The harvest is shared among students, fostering improved nutrition at home.

Beyond the classroom, Dominic collaborates with students and parents to establish kitchen gardens, promoting self-sufficiency and financial literacy through surplus vegetable sales, significantly improving community nutrition, with children proudly showcasing their homegrown produce.

Besides farming, Dominic’s “Dress Me Up Initiative” provides over 150 students with new uniforms, boosting their self-esteem and school attendance.

“With support from online followers and well-wishers, this initiative also supplies sanitary towels and learning materials to underprivileged students,” he added.

Addressing these barriers, Dominic has ensured more children stay in school and thrive academically.

He employs a learner-centered, collaborative teaching style, combining traditional and digital methods.

He integrates technology into English lessons using tablets loaded with digital storybooks, significantly enhancing students’ reading and communication skills, particularly in English.

Through annual vegetable gardening exhibitions, Dominic connects his students with diverse audiences, nurturing their global citizenship skills.

He is also working to establish international student exchange programs, broadening his pupils’ horizons and preparing them for the interconnected world.

His farming skills integrate climate education into his projects by emphasizing water conservation, soil protection, and organic farming. His innovative use of recycled materials for gardening and promotion of tree planting highlight his commitment to environmental stewardship.

“I teach my learners sustainable methods by equipping them with the skills and mindset to combat climate challenges,” he said.

His efforts have transformed his school into a beacon of innovation and hope. His students consistently excel in agriculture projects, and their improved discipline, responsibility, and academic performance reflect his influence.

Recognized by national media and educators worldwide, Dominic is setting new standards in teaching, demonstrating that education is a powerful tool for societal change.

“Keep me in your prayers to carry the trophy home by the end of the competition,” he concluded.