Russia to learn the name of 2003 Best School Teacher in the country today

On October 4, an award ceremony of the winners of the All-Russia 2003 Best School Teacher contest will be held in the most prestigious hall in Moscow - the State Kremlin Palace. The contest has a 14-year history, and its results are announced usually on the eve of the Teacher's Day, a professional holiday celebrated in Russia each year on the first Sunday of October.

This year, 80 best teachers from all regions of Russia participated in the contest. At the end, 15 finalists were chosen.

They will receive monetary awards and valuable presents from the President of the Russian Federation. The winner of the contest will receive the main award - the Crystal Pelican - as well as a monetary award in the amount of 13,000 rubles (about US $430). In addition, the best teacher will get a special prize - the so-called "Classroom of the future". In the school where the winner works, one of the classrooms will be fitted out with ultra-modern learning equipment. Finally, the winner will receive a yearlong paid vacation to realize his/her creative ideas.

Russia's First Lady Lyudmila Putin is expected to attend the award ceremony in the Kremlin Palace.