On Thursday, October 14, thousands of citizens took to the streets in 45 cities across Iran’s 25 provinces, according to the Iranian oppositions People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Teachers staged protests in various cities, venting their anger over the officials’ failure to address their dilemmas and demands in recent months.

During their rallies and marches across the country, protesters rallied in front of the local education department. In Tehran, they gathered outside the Planning and Budget Organization. However, in their various rallies, protesters chanted similar slogans and demands, which show these nationwide moves were well organized. It also displays that there is profound solidarity and a firm determination among these protesters.

“Widespread gatherings of teachers have so far been reported in 45 cities, including Tehran, Khorramabad, Sari, Kermanshah, Borujerd, Khorramshahr, Shiraz, Pol Dokhtar, Andimeshk, Yazd, Qazvin, Isfahan, Mashhad, Ardabil, Marivan, Malayer, Javanrud, Selseleh, Hamedan, Qom, Zanjan, Behbahan, Saqez, Norabad Mamasani, Arak, Ilam, Shirvan, Fereydoun Kenar, Bandar Anzali, Aligudarz, Sanandaj, Ahvaz, Yasuj, Kerman, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Darab, Takestan, Bojnurd, Izeh, Jolfa, Aleshtar, Jahrom, Kuhdasht, and Tabriz,” stated the NCRI on the same day.

During their protests, teachers in Tehran and other cities held placards and banners, blaming officials’ failure to implement the 80-percent ranking plan that regards the teachers’ salaries based on their experiences and years of service.

“Teachers are awake and hate discrimination,” “No surrender, no compromise, our ranking must be implemented,” “Imprisoned teachers must be freed,” defiant teachers chanted, showing their determination for achieving their rights.

In recent months, the government has done whatever it takes to curb further protests by teachers. However, it has done nothing to resolve teachers’ dilemmas except intensifying oppressive measures, forcing these noble people to come to the streets for their essential needs.

“The government and parliament are obliged to approve this initiative. If this initiative is approved and implemented, the legal basis for teachers’ wage will be at least 80 percent of that of faculty members, because teachers and members of faculty boards should be receiving equal salaries,” the Iranian Teachers Coordination Council said in its statement marking the beginning of the new school year.

“An uprising and the overthrow of religious fascism is the only way to realize the rights of retirees, teachers, and workers,” said Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), praising protesters’ struggle for their inherent rights.

“The teachers’ nationwide protests and solidarity in more than 40 cities against the mullahs’ inhuman policies, for restoring the teachers’ trampled rights and the right to free education for Iran’s children show the Iranian people’s resolve to liberate Iran from religious tyranny.”