“Dear students, teachers and parents! I congratulate you on the start of the new school year!

Everyone was especially looking forward to this day - September 1 this year. You have not been able to come to school for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, today everyone is experiencing a special tremulous feeling. Of course, this academic year will be very different from the previous ones. We must all be prudent and follow medical advice. We will have to abandon the conduct of school holidays and sports competitions for a while. But we are all sure that these are temporary difficulties, that they will soon be overcome and everyone will return to their usual school life filled with various interesting activities.

I would like to especially congratulate the children who cross the threshold of the school for the first time. Today you are embarking on the path of new, diverse knowledge.

May luck, good mood and success always accompany you.

The state should pay special attention to the education system. Only in schools can we preserve our language. It is there that we educate future doctors, engineers, economists, politicians, leaders who will lead the state tomorrow. The future of our country depends on the work of our schools today.

Many thanks to the teachers! Despite all the difficulties that exist in your work, you educate young people with great love, understanding and diligence. You should know that you can always rely on support from the state.

Dear schoolchildren, dear teachers, I wish you happiness, health and great success in all your endeavors.

Best regards, Aslan Bzhaniya, President of the Republic of Abkhazia.