OREANDA-NEWS. January 21, 2010. The opening ceremony was held in the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia in St Petersburg during the first Pedagogical Assembly.

President Medvedev noted that the Year of the Teacher in Russia is a tribute to distinguished work done by teachers and expressed his hope that 2010 will be the year in which a major upgrade of the education system gets underway, a year of positive changes.

The President stressed that Russian pedagogy has accumulated unique experience. In turn, this has become the foundation for high quality education and must not be lost. In his speech Mr Medvedev also touched on issues of teachers' remuneration, training and the education of schoolchildren.

The Pedagogical Assembly comprises teachers from different Russian regions, heads of federal and regional ministries and departments, university presidents, and representatives of school councils.

Earlier in the day Mr Medvedev was present at one of the exams taken by students in their fifth year at the Pedagogical University. Future teachers defended their approaches for teaching physics using computer technology.

The President also inspected a class in musical and computer technology.