Teachers from Kindergarten No. 13 in the Vekilbazar etrap of Mary velayat, Ogulgerek Annageldiyeva and Myahri Muhammetguliyeva, won first prize in the international competition ‘Teachers' Mastery: Dolls as Keepers of Cultural Heritage,’ organised by the Russian Committee of the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) under the auspices of UNESCO. The competition was held as part of the ‘Little Ambassadors of the Big World’ festival, according to the online news resource AsmanNews.

Teachers from Turkmenistan presented their original dolls Akpamyk and Yartygulak in traditional Turkmen costumes to the jury. The works were highly praised for their artistic execution and educational potential – through play, they help children develop respect for national traditions and love for cultural heritage.

The success of the teachers from Mary velayat was recognition of the contribution of Turkmen educators to the preservation and promotion of national culture at the international level.