Ebrahim Raisi Orders the Teaching of 'Science and Knowledge of Sacred Defense' in Schools and Universities

According to news sources, Ebrahim Raisi has issued an order for the implementation of a single article that predicts and allocates the course 'Science and Knowledge of Sacred Defense and Resistance' to be taught in schools, universities, and higher education centers across the country. Based on this article, a two-credit course titled 'Science and Knowledge of Sacred Defense and Resistance' will be added to the mandatory general education credits and will be taught in all universities and higher education centers in the country. Accordingly, it has been announced that all students from associate degree to specialized doctoral programs are required to take this course at least once during their studies. As stated in Ebrahim Raisi's directive, topics related to 'Sacred Defense and Resistance' as well as the achievements of 'Sacred Defense and Resistance' will be taught as educational content. The Islamic Republic refers to the eight-year war with Iraq as 'Sacred Defense' in its official political discourse. Ideologically-driven education is one of the Islamic Republic's programs in Iran. In this context, the head of the Educational Research and Planning Organization announced on December 9 of this year the finalization of the Islamic Republic's plan to make content changes in textbooks and its pilot implementation for first graders starting from the beginning of October 2024. Last September, the Ministry of Education also reported changes to the content of 200 textbooks at the directive of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. In this regard, the 'Fundamental Transformation Document of Education' was prepared and implemented by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, which is appointed by him, with the approach of executing Ali Khamenei's directives. The Minister of Education stated on November 21 of this year that according to this document, textbooks should be differentiated based on the 'gender' of boys and girls. In another statement, the Director General of 'Witness and Veterans Affairs' of the Ministry of Education announced on February 1, 2023, the new approach of this ministry in education, stating that 'the promotion of the culture of martyrdom in schools has begun and the content of textbooks will also change with this approach.' These changes have been put on the agenda at the direct request of Ali Khamenei, and on May 7, a Ministry of 'Science, Research, and Technology' official reported plans for 'reforming' university curricula in collaboration with 'more than 7,000' members of the 'academic board.' The purging of individuals in university academic boards has also intensified since this summer, with the replacement of individuals close to the ideological thoughts of the government with professors and experienced faculty members who have a critical approach continuing. The decline of education in Iran; severe academic decline of students. The Ministry of Education and the 'Fashion and Clothing Task Force' held a 'brainstorming' session to promote hijab. A clerical official stated that female seminary students and soldier-seminarians are present in schools. Changes to the content of first-grade textbooks will take place in October 2024. The Minister of Education of the Islamic Republic announced the 'gender differentiation' of textbooks. Strengthening ideology in education; the prayer bell has become mandatory in all schools in Iran. The content of 56 textbooks has changed; in seven years, the number of dropouts has doubled. The IRGC's move to seize the educational system with 'soldier-teachers'; Basij members are prioritized for recruitment as teachers.