Putin meets laureates of Russia's Teacher of the Year contest on Teacher's Day
In short
President Vladimir Putin met laureates of the nationwide “Teacher of the Year” contest and other pedagogical competitions on 5 October, which Russia marks as Teacher's Day, according to TASS, RIA Novosti and RBC. TASS reported Putin called contest-winning teachers the “golden fund” of Russian schools, and RIA reported he said the laureates had proved their devotion to the profession. RBC reported the meeting was also held to congratulate educators personally and to present state awards.
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President Vladimir Putin met laureates of the nationwide “Teacher's Year” contest and other pedagogical competitions on 5 October, TASS and RIA Novosti reported, while RBC carried a live broadcast of the start of the meeting. The meeting was held on Teacher's Day, which Russia marks on 5 October, according to RBC. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said earlier in the day that the meeting would involve direct communication, TASS reported. According to TASS, participants besides the “Teacher of the Year” laureates included laureates of nationwide professional competitions and finalists of the television show “Классная тема”. [ 1 , 4 ]
In his remarks, Putin called teachers who had won contests the “golden fund” of Russian schools, TASS reported, singling out school and education-complex heads and subject teachers. RIA Novosti reported that Putin said the laureates of the pedagogical contests had proved their devotion to the profession, and later that he spoke with the awarded teachers over a glass of champagne. [ 6 , 7 , 9 ]
RBC reported that the meeting was also held to congratulate educators personally and to present state awards to teachers who are veterans of the military operation; the other documents do not mention the awards. None of the documents said where the meeting took place. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The meeting is a recurring Teacher's Day event that lets the Kremlin present its support for the teaching profession through the president's own remarks. Beyond the congratulatory and award elements reported by the outlets, the documents give no indication of new policy measures, so the significance for readers outside Russia is limited.
Key facts
- Putin held a meeting with laureates of the nationwide “Teacher of the Year” contest on 5 October 2026. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- 5 October is Teacher's Day in Russia, RBC reported. [ 3 ]
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the meeting that it would be direct communication. [ 1 ]
- TASS reported that participants included laureates of nationwide professional competitions and finalists of the television show “Классная тема”. [ 4 ]
- Putin called teachers who had won contests the “golden fund” of Russian schools, singling out school and education-complex heads and subject teachers. [ 6 ]
- Putin said laureates of the pedagogical contests had proved their devotion to the profession. [ 7 ]
- RBC reported the meeting was also intended to congratulate educators personally and to present state awards to teachers who are veterans of the military operation. [ 3 ]
- RIA Novosti reported that Putin later spoke with the awarded teachers over a glass of champagne. [ 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Where the meeting took place. None of the documents state a location.
- The state awards and the teachers who are veterans of the military operation mentioned by RBC. Only RBC mentions the awards and the veterans; the other documents do not confirm this, and no details of the recipients or the decorations are given.
- How many educators took part and who they were. The documents describe the categories of participants but give no names or numbers.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the meeting with the “Teacher of the Year” laureates will be direct communication. [ 1 ]
- Putin begins the meeting with teachers; RBC runs a live broadcast. [ 2 , 3 ]
- TASS reports that laureates of nationwide professional competitions and finalists of the TV show “Классная тема” are also taking part. [ 4 ]
- Putin calls teachers who won contests the “golden fund” of Russian schools. [ 6 ]
- Putin says the laureates of the pedagogical contests have proved their devotion to the profession. [ 7 ]
- Putin speaks with the awarded teachers over a glass of champagne. [ 9 ]