Minister of Education of the Islamic Republic Announces Gender-Based Separation of Textbooks

The Fundamental Transformation Document of Education has been implemented with the approach of executing the directives of Ali Khamenei in Iran. In the latest remarks, the Minister of Education stated that according to this document, textbooks should be differentiated based on the 'gender' of girls and boys. Reza Morad Sahraei emphasized on Sunday, November 12, at the conclusion of a government festival that the 'culture of modesty' must be institutionalized throughout society. Morad Sahraei claimed that the situation of schools and students in Iran is 'far better' than in other countries, but asserted that what 'the revolution demands from us' goes much further. On September 20, Reza Morad Sahraei announced changes in the content of some textbooks for the new academic year, stating that changes had been made to the content of 56 textbook titles. The Minister of Education of the Islamic Republic claimed that these changes are 'subject to a calculated and scientific process that is complemented by educational packages and then leads to content changes.' These changes have been put on the agenda at the direct request of Ali Khamenei. On May 7, an official from the Ministry of 'Science, Research, and Technology' announced the beginning of planning for the 'reform' of university curricula in collaboration with 'more than 7,000' members of the 'scientific board.' Reza Naghi Zadeh, the Director General of the Higher Education Planning Office of the Ministry of Science, reported the start of a review of 1,500 curricula and predicted that more than 7,000 faculty members would collaborate with the Ministry of Science in drafting and reviewing these courses over the next two years. Youssef Nouri, the then Minister of Education, also announced that based on Ali Khamenei's statements regarding the revision of textbooks and educational content provided to students, the content of 200 textbook titles would change for the next year. The Ministry of Education simultaneously emphasized that 'the promotion of the culture of martyrdom in schools has begun, and the content of textbooks will also change with this approach.' The change of textbook content has been a concern of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic for years. Ali Khamenei has repeatedly shown sensitivity to the content of textbooks and called for a review of the content of educational materials. In May 2022, during a meeting with a group of teachers and educators from across the country, he stated that 'useless content in textbooks should be removed.' This long-standing approach of the Islamic Republic comes at a time when, during the nationwide protests in Iran that began in September of last year following the death of Mahsa Amini, students and pupils in schools across various cities played a prominent role. The prominent presence of students in protest movements has once again challenged the educational approaches in the Islamic Republic system, leading to increased ideological considerations and even restrictions for students. On the line: Government efforts to further restrict and suppress girls; new hijab and chastity plan in schools. A fuel vehicle overturned due to the lack of a school service; the condition of one student is 'critical,' the Ministry of Education denied it. Closure of private schools in Zahedan due to management by Sunni clerics. Twenty percent of schools in Iran are dilapidated. Continuation of 'serial poisoning'; the illness of female students in Ahvaz due to 'inhalation' of gas; the governorate: it is a natural occurrence. A media outlet in Iran reported on the 'inspection' of female students with electronic equipment. Top students will become 'teachers.'