Decline of Education in Iran; Severe Academic Drop Among Students

News sources in Iran have reported a severe academic decline among students over the past two years. According to a report published by the newspaper 'Etemad', the official statistics released regarding the results of the final exams in June of this year are 'extraordinarily strange' and indicate a worsening situation in public education. The report states that about half of the students, and perhaps more, have an average score below ten. Consequently, it has been announced that comparing the figures in this report with the average scores from 1398 onwards shows that the trend of changes is very concerning, with about a 20% decrease in the average scores of four subject groups compared to 1398. The report emphasizes that a very important point for government policymakers is that the greatest decline in scores in all four subjects is seen in religious education, Quran, and Arabic, with an average score drop of between 18 to 24%. Another point mentioned is that considering that learning religious and Quranic subjects is not particularly difficult or complex, this indicates a lack of attention or willingness from students to read or even answer questions correctly in these two subjects. This trend, addressed in the 'Etemad' report, has occurred while the Ministry of Education is revising and making extensive ideological changes to textbooks at the request of Ali Khamenei. Accordingly, the head of the Research and Educational Planning Organization announced on December 7 that the Islamic Republic's plan for content changes in textbooks has been finalized and will be experimentally implemented for first graders starting from the beginning of Mehr 1403. Experts believe that with the approach the Islamic Republic has taken in the field of education and the prevailing atmosphere in society, we should expect an increasing rupture in the educational system. Therefore, analysts consider 'Generation Z' to be the main actors in Iranian society, and since their demands and approaches have no compatibility with the wishes and aspirations of policymakers, any deviation from their desires is deemed destined for failure. Consequently, some experts believe that the Islamic Republic is trying to suppress the current 'Generation Z' and educate future generations in accordance with its own dictates. This approach was clearly evident in the statements of the Director General of 'Witness and Veterans Affairs' of the Ministry of Education in Bahman 1401. Zahra Panahi Rava stated: 'The promotion of martyrdom culture in schools has begun, and the content of textbooks will also change with this approach.' The Ministry of Education and the 'Fashion and Clothing Working Group' will hold a 'brainstorming' session to promote hijab in Mehr 1403; the content of textbooks for first graders will change; the Minister of Education of the Islamic Republic announced the gender segregation of textbooks; strengthening ideology in education; the prayer bell has become mandatory in all schools in Iran; the content of 56 textbook titles has changed; in the span of seven years, the number of dropouts has doubled.