A Teachers' Organization: The Students Killed in Kerman Were Victims of the Educational Propaganda Policies

Statistics from the Kerman Education Department show that one-fourth of the victims of the Kerman explosions were students. In this regard, the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Unions of Iran stated, based on evidence it has obtained, that they were victims of the propaganda policies of the Education Department. The council also reported that most of the deceased students participated in the government ceremony commemorating the death of Qassem Soleimani, organized by schools and the Education Department, 'without the presence of their guardians.' This trade union also pointed out that two days before the ceremony in Kerman, the provincial Education Department had closed all schools at all levels. The number of deceased students has been reported as 23, and the ISNA news agency quoted an education official in Kerman stating that the number of injured students hospitalized is 'more than 20.' This news agency reported that four of the deceased students were from the same family. The Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Unions of Iran, by re-publishing an image of the headline from the Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, wrote that media had reported before the government ceremony for Qassem Soleimani's anniversary about organizing student camps titled 'Pilgrims of Paradise' in Kerman. According to the Tasnim report, the head of the Islamic Associations Union in Kerman promised students visiting the 'Martyrs' Cemetery of Kerman' that they would also take them to the 'Tama' skill-based movement games center. Before the ceremony, the cultural and educational deputy of the Education Ministry emphasized the use of the 'great capacity of schools' in the fourth year of Soleimani's death in an interview with the ILNA news agency. Asghar Baqerzadeh also announced the launch of the 'Uncle Qassem' campaign, where students would present written and artistic works on the subject of Qassem Soleimani. He stated that the ringing of the 'symbolic bell of resistance and perseverance' in schools is also part of the programs sent to provinces across Iran in the form of an 'executive guideline.' The Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Unions of Iran, while referring to the high number of student casualties in the Kerman explosions, wrote that they were 'victims of the propaganda policies of the Education Department.' Among the victimized students, 10 were in elementary school and studying in the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth grades, four students were from middle school in the eighth and ninth grades, and six were studying in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades of vocational school. The obligation for employees, teachers, and students to attend government ceremonies, including the February 22 march, is not a new phenomenon, but since the recent nationwide protests, it has taken on a 'threat and intimidation' aspect, and even the ranking of teachers has become dependent on their attendance at these ceremonies. In the most recent case, one can refer to the march held on November 27 of this year, which the Islamic Republic officials organized in 'support of Gaza,' and some sources reported that this demonstration was held by forcing students and government employees to attend in various cities. The 'Halosh' website reported from Zahedan that students, educators, and government employees in the cities of Balochistan were 'forced to participate in this gathering,' while this news website described Zahedan as 'the Gaza of Iran.' Additionally, in a report published by the 'Mehr' news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Propaganda Organization, regarding the march held in 'Deir Port,' most participants in this demonstration were students from various grades. The Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Unions stated: 'Rulers must be transparent and accountable regarding disasters.' Reuters quoted American sources stating: 'ISIS Khorasan' is responsible for the deadly Kerman explosions. Narges Mohammadi's reaction to the deadly Kerman explosions: 'Security' cannot exist without sustainable freedom. The sensitivity of the Islamic Republic to words; two arrests due to an image of 'cutlet' and criticism of Soleimani's death anniversary ceremony. The Islamic Republic's efforts to counter social media users; the Attorney General ordered action.