New School Regulations Tighten Security Measures in Iran’s Classrooms

The revised “Executive School Bylaw” has raised significant concerns among educators, parents, and child-rights advocates, as it expands surveillance and disciplinary control in Iranian schools. This new policy signals a shift from educational environments into controlled security zones, jeopardizing the essence of learning.

A senior official from Iran’s Supreme Council of Education recently announced that the final version of this bylaw has been completed. After three years of revisions and over 64 committee meetings, the updated regulations are set to transform how schools operate.

Here are the key changes introduced in the revised “Executive School Bylaw”:

• Increased Authority: The new bylaw significantly enhances the discretionary powers of school principals and councils regarding educational, health, financial, and administrative planning.
• Mobile Phone Regulations: One of the central changes involves the regulation of student mobile-phone use, which will be managed by local school bodies. This move allows schools to implement restrictive policies with little oversight.
• Surveillance Measures: The installation of surveillance cameras in classrooms is another contentious issue. While officials acknowledge past challenges, they assert that the revised bylaw gives school councils the responsibility to decide how to approach surveillance based on specific circumstances.
• Disciplinary Changes: The clause allowing for temporary student expulsions has been removed, substituted with “counseling recommendations.” However, education experts express concern that increased administrative authority might lead to harsh disciplinary actions through unofficial channels.

These developments are part of a broader pattern of tightening political and ideological oversight over students. Educational activists argue that the regime is systematically working to impose control over students’ experiences and expressions within the educational framework.

Mousa-Reza Kafash, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme Council, expressed pride in the new version of the bylaw, suggesting it addresses the necessity of adapting to the realities of contemporary education. However, parents and child-rights advocates fear that these measures compromise the safety and freedom of students.

Just ten days prior to the announcement, an alarming incident occurred at a girls’ technical school in Shahr-e Rey, where students faced violent treatment during a classroom inspection. Eyewitness accounts indicated that aggressive searches, destruction of personal property, and verbal threats were part of a broader strategy of institutional violence that appears to be becoming normalized in schools.

This approach isn’t new; for over two decades, Iranian authorities have attempted to implement security-driven policies in schools to suppress dissent among students, teachers, and organized labor groups. The revised bylaw is seen as a continuation of this trend, reinforcing a system that prioritizes control over education.

On April 19, state media reported that a new joint agreement between Iran’s national police commander and the Minister of Education would facilitate increased police presence in schools. Critics have vehemently opposed this move, warning against transforming educational institutions into “military barracks.”

Additionally, on March 24, the Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), published an article highlighting the necessity of installing cameras in classrooms, framing this surveillance initiative as a priority for the Education Ministry. The push for such measures has intensified since the nationwide protests that erupted in 2022, during which students and teachers played a crucial role.

As the Iranian regime accelerates its efforts to securitize classrooms, the revised “Executive School Bylaw” transcends a mere technical update; it functions as a political instrument. By empowering school administrations that align with the government and normalizing surveillance, the regime seeks to exert greater control over one of society’s most sensitive areas—the minds and voices of future generations.

In conclusion, the implications of the revised “Executive School Bylaw” extend beyond administrative adjustments. It poses significant risks to the educational environment, undermining the fundamental principles of learning and student freedom. As this situation unfolds, the voices of educators, parents, and child-rights advocates remain crucial in advocating for a more balanced and humane approach to education in Iran.