Moroccan teacher Messaoud Aribat wins African Union continental award

Moroccan teacher Messaoud Aribat has been awarded first prize at the 2026 African Union Continental Teacher Awards. The ceremony took place during the closing of the African Conference on Teacher Training in Mbabane, Eswatini.

Aribat, who has 28 years of professional experience and works at the Ibn Achir school group in the Taroudant province, was recognized for his innovative educational project titled ‘Math Kids’. The initiative aims to simplify mathematics for primary school students, aged 11 to 13, by using theater, play, and interactive activities to transform the subject from a perceived difficulty into an engaging experience.

The project was selected from hundreds of entries based on 17 evaluation criteria. Beyond mathematics, Aribat has also applied these methods to scientific activities, converting lessons into 45-minute theatrical performances. This continental recognition follows a previous global teacher award he received in New Delhi, India, in 2024.