NOVO-OGARYOVO, February 2. /TASS/. Russia is coping with the coronavirus pandemic-related tests well enough by and large. The same is true of the education system, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the laureates of the national contest Russia’s Teacher of the Year - 2020.
"Not everything went smoothly and ideally, but our system of education and our country in general is coping with the trials decently enough," Putin said.
Putin stressed that the teacher’s profession enjoyed particular respect in Russia.
"It depends largely on the school teacher what kind of person a child will grow to be. The teacher is capable of not only making children interested in knowledge and tap talents and capabilities, but also to share the basic values that will provide a firm basis throughout adult life," Putin said. He stressed that this was the essence of the high mission of pedagogical activity.
Putin stressed that however far modern technologies might go, they would never be able to replace person-to-person contact. Putin described the pupil-teacher contact as joint creative endeavor.
"The role of the teacher in upbringing and education remains - and I am certain - will remain for many years, forever, most important and decisive, which we have been able to see once again during the pandemic," Putin said while speaking about the transfer of some educational establishments to distance learning.
He thanked all of the country’s teachers for working hard throughout this no easy time. Putin said he was well aware of the extra work load all teachers had to carry while trying to do their utmost for the sake of their students.
"I would like to say that Russian teachers in big cities and in rural schools have displayed their best qualities and their accomplishments would serve the country throughout many years," he said in conclusion.