Hanan al Hroub who grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Bethlehem and now teaches at a school in the West Bank was awarded the Global Teacher award at a ceremony in Dubai on Sunday. Hanan was hailed by world leaders at the ceremony for the Nobel-style award set up by the Dubai-based Varkey Foundation.

Detailed in her book We Play and Learn Hanan's approach has 'led to a decline in violent behaviour in schools where this is usually a frequent occurrence' the foundation said. 'We can teach children to be effective and inventive through various contexts which include entertainment drawing and movement' Hanan said.

'We need to help children with questioning dialogue thinking and feeling to help them express themselves.' Video messages from Pope Francis UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon US Vice President Joe Biden Britain's Prince William and Microsoft founder Bill Gates were broadcast at the ceremony.

The foundation set up by Dubai-based education entrepreneur Sunny Varkey will pay the prize money in installments requiring the winner to remain a teacher for at least five years. In a statement Varkey said he hoped Hanan's story 'will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and also shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over Palestine and throughout the world every day.'