Iran Faces a 176,000 Teacher Shortage for New Academic Year

The head of the Iranian Parliament's Research Center has warned of a critical shortage of teachers, with 176,000 needed for the upcoming academic year.

Babak Negahdari added that an additional 72,000 teachers are expected to retire by September 2024, further straining the Ministry of Education's ability to fill positions.

He blames the teacher shortage on several factors, including neglect of universities that train teachers, the weakening of teacher training centers, and flawed teacher employment regulations implemented between 2009 and 2021.

He additionally highlighted challenges like the low pay offered to retired teachers who return to work and the dismissal of educators for activism.

Mohammad Habibi, spokesperson for the Teachers' Trade Union, said earlier in June, "I have reliable information that dozens of newly hired teachers in just one branch of the Gilan Province Education Department have been fired for a single Instagram post,” he said, noting that it has not been made public because authorities are worried about the potential security repercussions.

He added that there are numerous similar cases across the country, and these dismissals are one of the factors contributing to the teacher shortage in education over the past two years.

These issues arise amidst a long history of government pressure and attempts to suppress teachers and union activists. In recent years, numerous teachers were detained and faced harsh prison sentences. The crackdown has intensified since the beginning of the 2022 protests.