Iranian teachers rise up: Nationwide protests demand rights and reforms

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Staff Writer
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Iranian teachers defied the government's intense security measures on May 9, 2023, holding protests and gatherings in 14 provinces across the country.
Iranian teachers defied the government's intense security measures on May 9, 2023, holding protests and gatherings in 14 provinces across the country.

 

The demonstrators voiced their concerns over violations of their basic rights, the arrest of fellow teachers, the lack of a proper ranking system, and unequal pay.

The government’s failure to implement a ranking plan has been a major cause for discontent among teachers, who argue that it has been used as a tool to control them rather than to incentivize their efforts.

Additionally, teachers have been waiting for over a decade for pension equalization. Growing concerns about psychological insecurity and threats to students’ physical health, especially female students, have also fueled the unrest.

 

 

Protests took place in Tehran, in front of the parliament, and in numerous other cities, including Rasht, Ardabil, Jolfa, Torbat Heydariyeh, Arak, Qazvin, Takestan, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Islamshahr, Harsin, Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Abadan, Sanandaj, Hamedan, Ahvaz, and Shush, with demonstrators gathering outside their respective Departments of Education.

” They carried placards bearing messages like “Inflation is the scourge of people’s lives,” “Stop filing against union activists,” and “There is no place for a teacher in prison, there is no answer to the demand for imprisonment.”

 

During the protests, teachers chanted slogans such as "The imprisoned teacher must be released," "A teacher dies, does not accept humiliation," "Chemical attack must be condemned," and "Promises are not enough, our table is empty.
During the protests, teachers chanted slogans such as “The imprisoned teacher must be released,” “A teacher dies, does not accept humiliation,” “Chemical attack must be condemned,” and “Promises are not enough, our table is empty.

 

In some cities, such as Rasht, Arak, Ardabil, and Langroud, protesters also chanted more politically charged slogans like “Every teacher’s cry is death to the oppressor, be it the shah or the mullahs’ leader,” “Hail to Rajavi,” and “The teacher is awake, disgusted with the Shah and the mullah.”

Female teachers took an active role in the protests, particularly in Isfahan, Arak, and Qazvin, where they led the crowds in chanting slogans and organizing demonstrations.

 

In Sanandaj, where a large number of anti-riot forces were deployed, teachers were unable to gather in one location and had to form several smaller groups.
In Sanandaj, where a large number of anti-riot forces were deployed, teachers were unable to gather in one location and had to form several smaller groups.

 

Suppressive forces attacked a group of teachers on Taleghani Street, who then responded with the slogan, “Police, you are our ISIS.”

Sanandaj’s teachers also called for the release of political prisoners during their protests. Meanwhile, in Hamedan, security forces tried to prevent teachers from gathering in front of the education and training office, but the teachers held their gathering on the street regardless.

 

The nationwide protests highlight the growing frustration among Iranian teachers, who are demanding that the government address their long-standing grievances and work towards ensuring equal rights and treatment for all educators.
The nationwide protests highlight the growing frustration among Iranian teachers, who are demanding that the government address their long-standing grievances and work towards ensuring equal rights and treatment for all educators.

 

 

 

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu

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