The message reads, in part:
“Millions of people throughout Russia are celebrating this holiday together with you with a feeling of deep appreciation for and gratitude to their teachers and mentors. All of us were students, and we will never forget our school time and our favourite teachers, who had opened the door into the universe of knowledge for us, who were sincerely proud of our achievements and victories and who helped us deal with the problems we encountered on the way.
On this special day, I would like to address the students of teacher training universities. Friends, you have chosen a demanding and very honourable profession. The knowledge the new generation of Russian citizens accumulate and the moral guidelines they will strive for depend entirely on you and your teaching skills, your wisdom, patience, empathy and love for your students.
I have no doubt that our teachers will continue to work diligently, preserving and developing the wonderful traditions of the Russian education system and selflessly carrying out their noble mission.”