As the new academic year begins in Iran, alarming statistics reveal that 790,000 students have not returned to classrooms, highlighting a deepening crisis in the country’s education system. According to Mohammad Alavi Tabar, Deputy Director of the Educational Research and Planning Organization, 890,000 students have yet to order their textbooks, and of this group, 790,000 have not even registered in schools. Even among those who have registered, the fate of 100,000 students remains uncertain, as they have not yet applied to receive their textbooks.
In a country where more than 16 million students are expected to attend school this year, this widespread absenteeism signals a growing challenge. Approximately 9.2 million children are enrolled in primary schools, 3.8 million in high schools, and 2.9 million in secondary schools. However, structural problems within Iran’s educational system, including unequal access to resources, a widening gap between public and private schools, and a severe shortage of teachers, are contributing to a rising dropout rate.
Rural and Disadvantaged Schools Face Stark Challenges
In recent weeks, images have surfaced showing the dire conditions of schools in rural and underprivileged areas. Impassable roads endanger students’ lives, and many schools lack even the most basic educational facilities, calling into question the existence of academic equity in Iran. The challenges are especially severe in provinces like Sistan and Baluchistan, where students face disproportionately low success rates due to limited educational opportunities.
A May 2023 report revealed that during the 2021-2022 academic year, nearly 11% of primary school students failed to complete their studies. The province of Sistan and Baluchistan had the lowest pass rate, with only 75% of students completing their coursework. Similarly, 12% of high school students in the region did not pass their final exams, the lowest rate in the country.
Teacher Shortages and Worsening Conditions in Public Schools
A significant factor contributing to the education crisis is the lack of teachers across all levels of education. Overcrowded classrooms are the norm, particularly in disadvantaged regions, and the Ministry of Education has been forced to fill the gaps by re-employing retired teachers and recruiting educators with little motivation to teach. The ministry’s inability to offer competitive salaries has led to union protests, further weakening the morale of teachers.
Public school students are increasingly being deprived of basic educational resources, while non-profit private schools charge high tuition fees, offering special privileges to students from wealthier families. This stark contrast in access to quality education exacerbates educational inequality, as private schools enroll only those who can afford the hefty costs and pass rigorous entrance exams.
Economic and Political Pressures on Teachers and Students
The difficulties faced by Iran’s educational system are compounded by increasing political pressure on teachers and educators. Over the past decade, and particularly in the last two years, Iran’s cultural and educational communities have faced growing repression from the regime. Many teachers have been expelled or summoned for their union activities, and some school principals and educators have been removed from their positions. This political pressure, coupled with low wages and a lack of resources, has created a challenging environment for educators and students alike.
Additionally, the regime’s ideological influence on the curriculum has undermined the quality of education. School textbooks are frequently revised to promote state ideology, leaving teachers struggling to keep up with the changes and diminishing their mastery of the material. This manipulation of the curriculum has contributed to a significant decline in academic performance across the country.
Educational Decline Reflected in Student Performance
The effects of these challenges are reflected in the declining performance of Iranian students. Alireza Monadi, the former head of the Education and Research Commission in the parliament, revealed that the average grade point average (GPA) of Iranian students has dropped to 11.5. Moreover, the percentage of students from public schools passing the national university entrance exam has plummeted. According to the latest data from the 2024 entrance exam, only seven percent of the top-ranked students came from public schools, with just two of the top 30 students attending public institutions.
The declining academic performance of Iranian students, coupled with the increasing dropout rate and stark inequality in access to educational resources, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform in Iran’s education system. Without addressing these systemic issues, millions of students will continue to be left behind, and the gap between public and private education will only widen.
