The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (METS) will award prizes to the best teachers within the republican contest „Teacher of the year”, held for the first time this year, as a result of a Government decision, a press release says. According to it, METS drafted the project in order to stimulate the creative activity of the educational staff of the pre-university education system, as well as to promote advanced and innovative experience of teachers and professors of this system, where about 45,000 teachers are working. The contest will be organized in three steps - local, regional and republican – starting 1 October. The last step is planned for 15 February – 15 April of every school year, after presenting the materials selected for participation to Republican Commission on organizing the contest by district/municipal departments of education, youth and sport. Contest regulation stipulates for winners the titles „Pedagogue of the year”, „Teacher of the year” or „Professor of the year” and the distinction-badge „Brilliant Pedagogue”, as well as money prize of 5000 lei along with the propelling to the following didactic degree.