A Palestinian school teacher won a $US1 million education award to applause from world leaders for her approach to teaching children through play.
Hanan Al Hroub, who teaches at the Samiha Khalil High School in the West Bank Palestinian city of Al-Bireh, was presented with the award in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pope Francis announced the winner in a video message to the ceremony, which was chaired by UAE Prime Minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. A child has the right to play, he said. Part of the education is to teach children how to play, because you learn how to be social through games and you learn the joy of life.