A Kenyan teacher has opened up about the disappointment of missing out on an award he had hoped would recognise years of work supporting vulnerable learners in his community.
Speaking on World Teachers’ Day 2026, O’kubasu Malik revealed that he had prepared a suit for the celebrations after being nominated for the WTDA Inclusive Educator Award.
An apology to supporters
However, the teacher said his journey came to an end at the regional level, leaving him questioning whether the judging process fully captured the impact of his work at the grassroots.
In a heartfelt post titled “The Suit That Never Walked the Stage”, Malik apologised to the people who had supported and financed his community initiative.
”To the ardent lovers, supporters and financiers of Love Stories, I let you down big time,” he wrote, adding that the outcome was beyond his control.
Malik said he had been nominated by his immediate supervisors, including the Board of Management (BOM), Head of Institution (HoI) and Deputy Head of Institution (DHoI).
Malin Claims Interview Was Rushed
He represented his school through the sub-county and county stages before reaching the regional level, where he was unsuccessful.
Rather than simply accept the loss, however, the teacher explained why he believed his experience at the regional stage deserved scrutiny.
Malik said he arrived at the regional interview venue at 10 am but was interviewed at around 8 pm because the other three nominees had travelled from distant work stations and it was getting late.
The teacher lamented that due to the rush, he had not been given enough time to explain his work in promoting inclusive education.
Didn’t Lose Mission
Despite his disappointment, Malik congratulated the teachers who emerged victorious. For him, losing the award did not mean losing the purpose behind his work.
”We may have lost an award, but we did not lose the mission,” he wrote.
He said he would genuinely like to learn what the regional winners had done differently so he could improve his own work.
Malik reiterated that he accepted the outcome despite his reservations about the judging process, adding that Love Stories had helped restore dignity and give long-term solutions.
”We helped build classrooms, provide water, keep girls in school, cushion learners from period poverty and provide clothing and food. That is the ultimate award,” he said.
On World Teachers’ Day, Malik ended his message with a tribute to himself and other educators whose work often goes unrecognised.
