The Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions of Iran criticized the Ministry of Education's directive prohibiting food sales in school canteens during Ramadan, describing it as 'promoting violence and oppression against children's bodies' and stating, 'Children should not go hungry.' According to this directive, signed by Mohsen Abdolmalek, the Deputy for Cultural and Physical Education of the Ministry of Education, 'the activity of all school canteens in cities and villages is prohibited from March 1, 2025, to April 3, 2025, and any observed activity will be legally addressed.' The Coordination Council, by sharing an image of this directive on its Telegram channel, deemed the implementation of this order contrary to nutritional science principles and emphasized that in a time of widespread poverty, such prohibitions could lead to increased hunger among students. The council stated that if the government cannot provide free nutrition, it should not hinder families' support for their children with harmful directives. This national teachers' organization also referred to the crisis of child malnutrition and warned the Ministry of Education for 'institutionalizing this crisis.' The protesting educators labeled this decision as 'an ideological order' lacking scientific and health backing, emphasizing that 'the physical and mental health of children should not be sacrificed for ideological considerations and economic inefficiency.' The council's Telegram channel noted that education managers, responsible for students' physical and mental health, should not jeopardize their well-being with incorrect decisions. Concurrently, according to the police information base, Mohammad Qasem Torahani, the police commander of the Islamic Republic in Rey, stated, 'Supervision of commercial units' during Ramadan is on the agenda of the police force, and officers visited 74 commercial units on the first day of Ramadan, closing five units and issuing 'violation warnings' to 23 others. Despite the Islamic Republic officials' interference in citizens' lifestyles and the violation of their individual and social freedoms, including the mandatory observance of fasting and hijab, civil disobedience among Iranians has continued. The market was sluggish on the first day of Ramadan and on the eve of Nowruz, with five commercial units in Rey closed under the pretext of violating the 'sanctity' of Ramadan. Trump congratulated the beginning of Ramadan, emphasizing support for religious freedoms. The market is in a coma; an analyst stated: 'The government is not normal,' as shops remain closed.
Teachers' Association Criticizes Ban on Food Sales in Schools During Ramadan
The Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions in Iran criticized a government directive banning food sales in schools during Ramadan, arguing it could exacerbate child hunger amid widespread poverty. The directive has sparked protests from educators who claim it undermines children's health for ideological reasons. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between government policies and civil rights in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions criticized a government directive that bans food sales in schools during Ramadan, arguing it could worsen child hunger. They claim this decision undermines children's health for ideological reasons.
- The ban is effective from March 1 to April 3, 2025.
- The teachers' council argues that the ban contradicts nutritional science and exacerbates child malnutrition.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran faces significant economic challenges, leading to increased poverty and food insecurity, particularly among children. The government's strict regulations during religious observances often clash with public needs.
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Translation confidence: 85%