Dmitry Chernyshenko: The final of the “Master of the Year – 2026” competition, held within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children,” brought together finalists from all regions of Russia

Published on: 2026-09-28

Source: Government of the Russian Federation –

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The solemn opening of the final of the all-Russian competition among pedagogical workers of the secondary vocational education system “Master of the Year” took place in Novy Urengoy.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said that 89 finalists from all regions of Russia gathered at the event.

“College and technical school teachers have a special mission. They prepare in-demand personnel for the country’s future, and much depends on their work for achieving technological leadership, a national goal set by our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. To support employees of the secondary vocational education system and identify effective practices within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children,” the “Master of the Year” competition is being held. I congratulate every finalist: reaching this stage is already a great victory! I wish them to show themselves to the fullest, meet like-minded people, and gain new momentum for their work,” stated Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov sent a video greeting to the finalists. He emphasized that this year nearly 13,000 educators participated in the competition – setting an absolute record in its history.

“Secondary vocational education is a modern system closely connected with real production. Together with enterprises, it prepares personnel on whom the future of the Russian economy depends. A special role in this belongs to you – teachers and vocational training masters. I wish each finalist to vividly demonstrate their skill, creative approach, and sincere love for their work. May the competition become another important step in your pedagogical career!” – the head of the Ministry of Education addressed the finalists.

The final of the contest is traditionally hosted by the region where the previous year’s winner lives and works. In 2025, the best results were shown by Mikhail Ivanov, a teacher at the Yamal Multidisciplinary College.

“I am truly delighted to welcome the best masters and teachers of the country to the land of Yamal! It is symbolic that the main venue of the competition has today moved to Novy Urengoy – the gas capital of Russia, where the value of genuine professionalism and skill is well understood. Training the workforce of the new generation is a key priority, and it is precisely the pedagogical talent of mentors that determines with what skills young specialists will enter the industry. We have done everything possible to ensure that guests and participants of the competition feel our northern hospitality, can exchange unique experience, and be energized by Yamal. I wish everyone success, confidence in their abilities, and vivid victories!” – said the governor of Yamal, Dmitry Artyukhov.

One of the highlights of the solemn ceremony was the completion of the “Master of the Year” contest flag relay: it started in February 2026 in Izhevsk, then the flag visited all regions of Russia. The final point of the relay was the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

In 2026, on the initiative of the Institute for the Development of Professional Education (IRPO), a nationwide campaign “Map of Mastery: Thread Across Russia” was held as part of the flag relay. The campaign is timed to coincide with the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by President Vladimir Putin. In each federal district, artistically designed elements symbolizing the traditions and characteristics of the regions are applied to the flag of the “Master of the Year” contest. After the contest ends, the flag will be kept at the SPO Museum – in the IRPO branch near Moscow.

The business program of the competition begins on September 29 with the plenary session “All-Russian Pedagogical Council: Mastery and Mentorship in Secondary Vocational Education”, and the competitive program on the same day starts with the Educational Case Competition. On September 30, participants face another challenge – the “Open Lesson”. The final events will be broadcast live.

The names of the ten contest winners will be announced on October 1, and on the same day the final competition “Fall in Love with the Profession” will take place for them.

On the Day of Secondary Vocational Education, October 2, a solemn closing ceremony of the final and the announcement of the winner of the “Master of the Year – 2026” competition will take place.

The All-Russian competition among teaching staff of the secondary vocational education system, “Master of the Year,” is held within the framework of the federal project “Professionalism” of the national project “Youth and Children.” The organizers of the competition are the Ministry of Education and the All-Russian Education Trade Union. The federal operator is the Institute for the Development of Professional Education.

The competition serves as a platform for promoting advanced ideas in education, studying and implementing the most promising teaching practices, as well as for enhancing the prestige of teaching professions.

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