Iran To Establish Seminary-Affiliated Schools

Iran's deputy education minister, Hamid Nikzad, has announced that seminary-affiliated schools will be established as part of the ministry's "Mosque, School, and Home" program.

Nikzad did not provide further details regarding the project but expressed hope that it will lead to "promoting Iranian-Islamic culture."

Some ministers in President Ebrahim Raisi's hardline administration had earlier stressed the "revolutionary" nature of the education ministry.

Iran's seminaries and the Ministry of Education have been also actively working on another plan called "Amin" which was initially limited to the religious city of Qom but has now extended to other cities.

As part of this project, it was announced that now 21,000 seminary graduates have been recruited to teach in 7 thousand schools.

Also, on Thursday Reza Morad Sahraei, the Minister of Education said that three thousand seminary graduates as well as a group of "Jihadi forces" have been recruited into the education system this year.

He stated that the purpose of the move was to "strengthen the religious foundation of the students".

The integration of religious teachers happens against the backdrop of a “purge” in the education system. In September, it was reported that Iran's Minister of Education had replaced over 20,000 principals.

The "transformation plan," was implemented after many students took part in anti-government demonstrations in 2022.

Later, Sahraei denied allegations about the purging of certain administrators by stating that some are retiring while others are being replaced by new people.