Iran's National Teachers' Organization Defends 'Right to Education in Mother Tongue': Continuation of Monolingual Policy is Mistaken

On Wednesday, February 21, the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions issued a statement on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, defending the 'right to education in the mother tongue' and stating that 'the continuation of a monolingual educational policy without regard to the linguistic perspectives of citizens' is 'unscientific, undemocratic, and completely wrong.' The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. The Coordinating Council emphasized its firm support for the 'inalienable right of citizens to choose their educational language' and believes that 'the ongoing engineering of the current monolingual policy in Iran contradicts the principles of linguistics and is clearly erroneous.' The statement noted that 'the continuation of a monolingual policy in education is an unjust action that disregards the collective rights of non-Persian nations within the political geography of Iran.' The Council pointed out that 'the situation in Iran is not different from other countries where language suppression policies are systematically implemented,' adding, 'the language suppression policy and the formation of dictatorship are advancing coherently in all undemocratic countries.' The organization further stated that 'after the establishment of modern educational institutions about a hundred years ago, only Persian became the language of instruction and the language of legal rights and politics among the various languages within the political geography of Iran.' The statement also mentioned that recent research emphasizes the 'necessity of education in the mother tongue,' asserting that 'a child must connect with the world of modern education and knowledge in their mother tongue, and any policy that disrupts this relationship is not only detrimental to the child's individual growth but also contradicts the establishment of a healthy and stable society.' The Council criticized linking 'the discussion of education in non-Persian mother tongues to issues of security and national identity,' noting that 'in many democratic countries, where the stability and sustainability of their political systems are incomparable to any undemocratic country, citizens are free to choose their educational language.' The Council stated, 'This freedom has not led Switzerland, India, South Africa, or any other democracy in the East and West toward collapse; rather, this freedom is one of the main factors of the sustainability of their political systems.' The statement concluded that 'the dynamism of a society is related not to killing and suppressing differences but to creating a fair and equal environment for their growth and flourishing.' The United Nations website regarding International Mother Language Day states that multilingual and multicultural communities progress by preserving their languages as conduits of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. According to this report, linguistic diversity faces increasing threats with the disappearance of more languages, and currently, 40% of the world's population lacks access to education in their mother tongue, with this figure exceeding 90% in some regions. The UN website emphasizes the role of languages in promoting inclusivity and achieving sustainable development goals, stating that multilingual education policies are crucial for inclusive education and preserving indigenous languages. By starting education in the learner's mother tongue and gradually introducing other languages, barriers between home and school are removed, facilitating effective learning. The website notes that multilingual education not only promotes inclusive societies but also helps preserve non-dominant, minority, and indigenous languages, forming the foundation for equitable access to education and lifelong learning opportunities for all individuals.