Poverty, the Main Factor Behind Increased Student Dropout Rates in Iran

Iranian media has reported an increase in dropout rates coinciding with rising poverty, stating that there is a significant relationship between student dropouts and poverty. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the dropout rate for students across all educational levels has risen. A report published by the Statistical Center of Iran indicates that in this academic year, the dropout rate for elementary students increased by 0.25 percentage points to 1.2%. The newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad considers this statistic alarming as it could lead to increased illiteracy in the future. The newspaper also emphasizes that the rise in dropout rates is closely related to the increase in poverty rates in recent years. The report shows that in this academic year, the dropout rate for boys in elementary school was 1.21% and for girls, it was 1.19%, affecting over 175,000 students. Donya-e-Eqtesad previously reported about 14,000 students dropping out at the elementary level, stating that the main reason for dropping out at this level is the economic difficulties faced by families. The Statistical Center's report also indicates that the dropout rate in the first cycle of secondary education has also increased, rising by 1.1 percentage points to 5.47%. Accordingly, the dropout rate for boys in this educational level was 6.5% and for girls, it was 4.3%, affecting a total of 197,690 students. The dropout rate in the second cycle of secondary education also increased by 1.72%, exceeding 4%. In this year, the dropout rate for girls was 3.5% and for boys, it was 4.5%. Reports indicate that the most important factor for dropping out in Iran is the inability to meet the minimum requirements for continuing education. In some cases, children are forced to work after dropping out to help meet family needs. Investigations by Voice of America show that from 2016 to 2023, inflation in Iran has been on the rise, and there is a significant correlation between the inflation rate and the trend of student dropouts. Accordingly, in 2016 and 2017, inflation in Iran was around 10%, which rose to over 27% in 2018. In 2019, inflation reached 35% and in 2020, it exceeded 36%. In 2021, inflation surpassed 46% and remained above 46% in 2022. Statistics show that the dropout rate for elementary education in the 2016-2017 academic year was 0.99%, but after five years, it reached 1.2% in the 2022-2023 academic year, while in the first cycle of secondary education, it rose from 4.11% to 5.47%, indicating an upward trend. More than 200,000 students have dropped out this year, with a Ministry of Education official stating that 216,000 first-cycle secondary students have dropped out. The recurring trend of 'punishing students' in the educational system of the Islamic Republic; the arrest of a school principal in Bushehr province. A 17% increase in dropouts in Iran. The educational crisis in Iran and a 'red alert' for GPAs; the Minister of Education states that prayer is the most important pillar.