A senior official in the Ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic has threatened to close 'self-managed schools' that educate foreign children residing in Iran if they do not obtain licenses from government authorities. Mehdi Fayyazi, head of the International Affairs Center and Schools Abroad at the Ministry of Education, announced on a television program that September 1st is the 'final deadline' for registering both 'legal and illegal' foreign children in schools. This official stated that if 'self-managed schools' do not obtain licenses, they will be 'closed down', claiming that it costs '15 million tomans' annually for each 'foreign student' in public schools. 'Self-managed schools' are those established by 'a group of educated migrants and grassroots civil organizations' concerned about cultural issues, aimed at ensuring that 'every student who cannot attend public schools' is not deprived of their right to education and can study in these schools, even with 'minimal facilities'. According to the head of the International Affairs Center and Schools Abroad at the Ministry of Education under President Ebrahim Raisi, the Islamic Republic receives '17 million euros' annually for the education of foreign nationals as 'international aid'. The state news agency ISNA reported on December 4, 2021, regarding the 'problems of migrant students', stating: 'Although tens of thousands of migrant and non-Iranian children study in public schools, some children are still caught in administrative loopholes and deprived of education in Iranian schools.' This media outlet quoted 'one of the activists in the field of non-Iranian nationals in the country' about self-managed schools, noting that several self-managed schools operate in the city of Mashhad, covering 'between 1,000 to 1,500 students' and are 'not under the supervision of the Ministry of Education or the provincial foreign nationals office', yet they have 'been able to shoulder part of the educational burden over the past four decades.' 'Self-managed schools' are also seen as an effort to continue the education of 'students without identification documents' or lacking identity papers to prevent them from being excluded from education, which have always faced pressure from government entities or security sectors of the Islamic Republic to continue their activities.
A Government Official: 'Self-Managed Schools for Foreign Nationals' Will Be Closed If They Do Not Obtain Licenses
A senior Iranian education official has threatened to close self-managed schools for foreign children if they do not obtain government licenses by September 1. These schools provide education to students who cannot attend public schools, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by migrant children in Iran. This situation raises concerns about access to education and the rights of foreign nationals in the country.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A senior Iranian education official announced that self-managed schools for foreign children will be closed if they do not obtain licenses by September 1. This decision highlights the ongoing struggles faced by migrant children in accessing education in Iran.
- Self-managed schools serve between 1,000 to 1,500 students in Mashhad.
- The Iranian government receives 17 million euros annually for the education of foreign nationals.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran hosts a significant number of foreign nationals, many of whom face challenges in accessing education due to legal and bureaucratic barriers. Self-managed schools have emerged as a response to these challenges.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%