Frequent School Closures In Iran Hurt Education - Report

An Iranian newspaper in Tehran says four months into the academic year in Iran, students have attended school for only 38 days.

Farhikhtegan newspaper reported Tuesday that one of the reasons for school closures has been the nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in mid-September.

The protests were extended to schools, and not only did a large number of students support it, but also many were subjected to violence by the security forces and arrested.

The newspaper also mentioned air pollution, unprecedented cold snap, snowfall and heavy rain, and the national football team's matches in the World Cup in Qatar as other reasons for school closures.

Farhikhtegan warned that "If it continues like this, that would be the end of public education in the country."

Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament Research Center reported a 17% increase in the number of students who are left out of school compared to the previous six years.

According to the report, the number of students who missed school this year is more than 900 thousand.

The children are left out of schools are those who come from poorer families.

The five provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan, Razavi Khorasan, Tehran, oil-rich Khuzestan and West Azerbaijan have the highest number of students deprived of education.