Kuzbass Education Minister Vows No Mandatory Work for Young Teachers

The regional Ministry of Education plans to increase to 40% the number of Kuzbass university graduates who remain in the region after receiving their diplomas. On Tuesday, January 27, the head of the department, Sofya Balakireva, announced during a press conference how this will be achieved.

The number of graduates remaining in the region is growing year by year. According to official statistics, in 2024 it was 34%, and in 2025 — already 38%.

It is especially important, as the speaker emphasized, for young doctors and teachers to stay in Kuzbass, as in these fields the issue of staff shortage is most acute. At the same time, Sofya Balakireva firmly rejected the path taken by healthcare — introducing mandatory work placement in state organizations for at least three years after graduation.

“I see what resonance the medical story is causing. Therefore, I think it would not be entirely correct to express some personal opinion here. We must create conditions for our young teachers so that they want to go work in schools,” the minister stated.

Thus, for example, young teachers who agree to work in remote rural areas are paid one million rubles (approximately $11,000 at current rates). Also, electricity bills are partially compensated.