Iranian MP Reports Purge Of School Administrators

An Iranian Member of Parliament has exposed a widespread campaign of purges, suspensions, and dismissals affecting school administrators across the country.

Jalal Mahmoudzadeh, speaking on Sunday, provided alarming statistics, stating that approximately 15,000 to 20,000 school administrators have been replaced since the appointment of Reza Morad Sahraei as the Minister of Education.

The "purification process," as described by the MP, has extended its reach from universities to the education sector, resulting in the sidelining of teachers, school administrators, and even the expulsion of professors. The campaign shows no signs of slowing down.

The developments come on the heels of Reza Morad Sahraei's announcement last month that a "transformation plan" would be implemented in 5,000 schools during the current Iranian year, scheduled to conclude on March 20, 2024. The plan was initiated after a wave of anti-government protests involving numerous school students. Sahraei has committed to ongoing changes and expansion of the program.

The term "political purification," widely discussed in Iranian media, extends beyond educational institutions. Various organizations and institutions have faced similar purges as hardline elements of the regime sideline their rivals. The notion of "purification" was initially coined by former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani to describe the actions of ultraconservative allies of President Raisi, aiming to consolidate government power by marginalizing other politicians and officials.