The message reads, in part:

"Our country marks this holiday out of deep respect for the creative and dedicated work of teachers. You teach your pupils to value knowledge, to think for themselves and to believe in themselves. You teach them to be civic-minded. So much – from the outlook and values to the health of the younger generation – depends on teachers.

"Currently, Russia prioritises the development of education, improving legislation in this sphere, and raising the status of teachers.

"Modern schools need bright professionals who are open-minded and love their work – those who, by example, instil in children a hunger for success and thirst for knowledge for the rest of their lives."