Moroccan educator Messaoud Ariba received recognition at the 2024 Global Teacher Awards on Saturday in New Delhi, India, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported.
Presented by AKS Education, an India-based educational research company, the annual awards celebrate exceptional achievements in education on an international scale.
A teacher at the Ibnou Aachir School in Taroudant, Ariba stood out as the only representative from the Arab world and North Africa among this year’s winners. He was selected over thousands of other candidates from around the globe.
Speaking to MAP, Ariba expressed his pride and gratitude for the award, calling it the culmination of 25 years of dedication to education. “This recognition honors the extraordinary efforts of educators committed to advancing the education sector in Morocco,” he said.
Since 1998, Ariba has focused on making learning, especially in mathematics, more engaging. His award-winning project, Math Kids, has made the subject more accessible and enjoyable.
“Many children see mathematics as intimidating or even scary,” Ariba explained. “With Math Kids, math becomes a game instead of a ‘monster.’ Through theatrical activities, we present math concepts in a fun and understandable way.”
In addition to Math Kids, Ariba reimagined the primary-level science curriculum by creating three, 45-minute theatrical plays tailored to two different grade levels. Performing in school plays is not just entertainment, Ariba said. It is a “powerful educational tool” that enhances learning and builds student skills.