Unveiling the Hidden Costs: The Untold Truth About Public Education in Iran

A recent viral video has sparked renewed discussions about the monetization of public education in Iran. The footage features a tense confrontation between a school principal and a father, highlighting a troubling issue that many families face in the educational system.

In the video, the principal openly admits to expelling a student based on poor academic performance. However, the underlying reason is the father’s inability to pay the school’s tuition fees. The father, visibly upset, questions the principal’s decision, asking, “Should my child be expelled simply for not paying tuition at a public school?”

The principal, unyielding in his stance, asserts that he manages the school’s expenses through funds collected from families. He even challenges the father to escalate the matter to the Ministry of Education, confidently stating, “I’m not afraid of anyone.” This declaration resonates with countless Iranian families who feel trapped within an unjust system.

Contradictory Policies on Education

For years, education officials have maintained that charging tuition fees in public schools is illegal and goes against policy. Yet, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Public schools often demand significant tuition fees, and families who fail to pay face the risk of expulsion, as illustrated in the viral video.

It is difficult to believe that such widespread practices occur without the knowledge and tacit approval of the Ministry of Education. By declaring that education in public schools is free, the Ministry avoids criticism regarding the increasing commercialization of education.

This situation allows schools to charge tuition under the pretext of “voluntary contributions,” compelling families to cover a substantial portion of educational costs. Reports indicate that some schools withhold students’ report cards at the end of the academic year as leverage to recover unpaid tuition. In dire cases, parents unable to afford the fees are asked to provide services to the school instead.

One particularly troubling instance involved a single mother forced to clean the school premises in lieu of payment, highlighting the extreme lengths to which families must go to ensure their children receive an education.

Legal Framework vs. Reality

These practices starkly contrast with Article 30 of the Iranian regime’s Constitution, which unequivocally states: “The state is obliged to provide free education facilities for all people until the end of secondary school and to expand higher education facilities free of charge to the extent of the country’s self-sufficiency.”

Moreover, education regulations declare that any mandatory collection of tuition fees in public schools is illegal. Yet, these laws remain largely unenforced, serving only as empty proclamations.

In late September 2024, Ali Farhadi, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Development of Educational Resources, appeared on a television program as the new school year approached. He downplayed the issue, claiming that “only a small number of public schools collect money from families,” asserting that parental contributions are “voluntary.” He further stated that complaints would be addressed within three days.

However, the reality contradicts these statements. When school administrators dismiss parents’ protests and redirect them to the Ministry of Education for complaints, it becomes evident that tuition fee collection is occurring with full coordination and endorsement from the authorities.

The Impact of Financial Constraints

In the meantime, a significant portion of Iran’s education budget is diverted to serve the regime’s interests rather than addressing the needs of students. Each year, thousands of students drop out due to their families’ financial struggles, resulting in a tragic loss of talent and potential. Many bright young minds are denied access to education, not because of academic shortcomings but simply because they cannot afford to pay.

Adding to the financial strain on public education, the Iranian government employs 20,000 clerics under the “Amin Plan,” using public funds to place them in schools to indoctrinate students with the regime’s ideology. Furthermore, the Tehran Municipality has earmarked 550 billion tomans under the “Arman Plan” for sending clerics into schools, prioritizing ideological indoctrination over educational development.

Conclusion: The Need for Reform

The commercialization of education in Iran has dire consequences, exacerbating inequality and depriving countless children of their right to learn. Until the government takes meaningful action to enforce free education policies and allocate resources responsibly, the dream of accessible education for all will remain just that—a dream.