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Ban on Teaching English in Primary Schools in Iran

Jan 26, 2026 January 26, 2026 1 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

Iran's education officials have banned the teaching of English in primary schools, stating it is not recommended until high school. This decision contrasts with practices in Europe, where foreign language education typically begins at a much younger age. The ban raises concerns about the country's educational policies and global competitiveness.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The ban on English teaching in primary schools underscores Iran's commitment to limiting foreign influence in education.

👥 Key Players

Mehdi Navid Adham MENTIONED
Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Education
"He is a key figure in shaping Iran's educational policies and has significant influence over what is taught in schools."
Islamic Republic of Iran MENTIONED
Government authority
"The government sets educational standards and policies that reflect its ideological stance and priorities."
Pew Research Center MENTIONED
Independent research institute
"Provides comparative data on educational practices globally, highlighting differences in language education."

📰 What Happened

Iran has officially banned the teaching of English in primary schools, stating that foreign language education should only begin in high school. This decision contrasts with practices in many European countries where language instruction starts earlier.

  • Teaching English in public and private primary schools is prohibited.
  • Charging parents for extracurricular English classes is considered a violation.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This ban may limit students' exposure to global languages and cultures, potentially impacting their future opportunities.
🌍 Regional: It reflects Iran's broader educational and ideological stance, which may influence neighboring countries with similar governance.
🌐 International: The decision may be viewed as a step back in Iran's integration into the global community, affecting international perceptions and relations.

📚 Background

Iran has historically emphasized its cultural and ideological values in education, often at the expense of foreign language acquisition. This ban aligns with a broader trend of promoting national identity over globalization.

Language education policies Cultural identity in education
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a state media report, it may reflect the government's official stance and priorities, potentially downplaying dissenting views.

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Education announced that teaching English in public and private primary schools during official or unofficial hours is prohibited and will be dealt with if observed. According to the Islamic Republic's news agency, Mehdi Navid Adham stated that foreign language education at the primary level is not recommended at all, and teaching this language can only be implemented from the first year of high school. According to this education official, charging tuition from parents for English language classes as extracurricular activities is considered a violation. While the Islamic Republic's education officials have decided to stop teaching English in schools, an independent research institute, Pew in Washington, has reported that the age for teaching the first foreign language for most students in Europe begins at age 9.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 90%

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