Supreme Leader’s Statements in Meeting with Teachers and Education Authorities

Welcome, Dear brothers, Dear sisters! Our annual meeting with the esteemed teachers and education authorities is planned to express gratitude to teachers; through this meeting and the expressed statements, I would like to offer my appreciation to the teachers’ community. In addition, the meeting is considered an opportunity to raise some educational issues; however, I suppose the Minister raised the most important educational issues, and we must be grateful that the current government, particularly Mr. president, is paying special attention to education. I have reiterated several times that when we invest in education, it is not a cost but an investment, such as making the bed for multiple profits. Fortunately, the esteemed president believes in this notion, and the esteemed minister is among the prominent education authorities and is familiar with the educational issues, which are opportunities.

 

I emphasize that you must consider the follow-up process of the commenced actions to be the principle and be realized. Some authorities speak nicely, but there will be no output thereafter. However, we are not expecting short-term consequences in the field of education; it is not the nature of education, but progress must be an index of what is being done.

 

About teachers, the point is that all the organizations and institutes of the country are responsible for respecting teachers; it is not a minor issue, but it is effective on the general movement of the country. The tribute to teachers is a necessity, which might range from financial and livelihood assistance to building a general opinion, so that teaching will be a popular job for the youth. It could be done by some experts who think about all possible ways, including media, art, videos, and books. The work must be planned and conducted by the TV and radio, art organizations like the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and followed up by the Ministry of Education. If it is done properly, the teacher will feel proud and tireless, and the talented job seekers will consider teaching as the first possible job.

The next point about teachers is their own perception of the job they are doing; here, the audience is you, dear teachers across the country. Teachers must know that it is not only the textbooks that they teach in their classrooms, but they also affect their students, either intentionally or unintentionally. You affect your students through your manners, presence in class, attitude to students, teaching quality, humility, arrogance, persistence, reluctance, etc. Teachers affect adolescents just as their parents do, even more than them.

 

The last point about teachers is related to Farhangian Teacher Education University (FTEU) and the teacher education centers. The esteemed minister offered some points, and I also have some miscellaneous information. FTEU is significant: firstly, it belongs to the education system, and the issue raised for its merger with another university is not expedient. The quality of the university must be so that training standard teachers can be realized. FTEU must be the place for superior professors regarding their scientific, religious, moral, and behavioral positions. It is a very important university. I have reiterated and emphasized not to let this university weaken and to make the best efforts in order to correct the action of FTEU. It is all about teachers.

 

There are some points about the education system that I am going to notify. However, there are much more issues to be said.

Firstly, the education system is a governmental institution. The responsibility of the Islamic government is to teach the youth and adolescents science, religion, and skills, at least up to a specific level, such as the last year of high school. The intellectual and cultural train of the new generation is related to the government, which is the responsibility and the right of the government. It is the government that must guide the youth of the country and construct the education system based on the principles. The government is both responsible for the education system and honored to finance it.

 

The second point is about the education structure. My dears! Millions of boys and girls, aged six to eighteen, are dealt with by the education system. If the new generation, the big population, is not well educated, how can we respond to God and posterity? Before coming here, I had been to an exhibition on education, and fortunately, some required issues have been addressed well. The current and previous structures are not responsive. One of the tasks of the government in the seventh plan is to design a new organizational structure for the education system, and some work is being done. As I have heard, the revised version of the evolutionary document is on the agenda, which is very promising. You must work skillfully and committedly.

 

There is an issue with the textbooks. The two elements, textbooks and teachers, are in fact the essence of education. Textbooks are very important. I have emphasized this matter and offered some recommendations so far, in both private and public meetings with the education authorities, and they have taken some measures. Textbooks must be attractive. The current books do not attract students. The most scientific topics can be expressed through simple, sweet, and desirable language. The publishers and designers must also be committed to the Islamic principles.

 

There are some more points that I am going to summarize. About the technical and vocational majors, it is said that the percentage is to rise to 50%, which is a good thing. However, make the best effort to pursue these majors and those who are interested in them as much as possible.

 

The next matter is educational justice. It does not mean that top talents must be ignored; some have understood the concept of educational justice in the wrong way. SAMPAD (Schools for Gifted Students) is a necessity in the country, as it helps talented students grow based on their abilities. Justice means to put everything in its own position.

 

The last point is related to upbringing issues, which I have always emphasized. It was ignored by some unreasonable arguments, which were rejected, and today, luckily, the esteemed minister explained the issue.

Something must also be said about the political issues in the region; some of the words said by the president of the U.S.A. are not worth being answered. However, one or two sentences must be noticed, including applying power for peace, which is a lie. In fact, power can be applied to establish peace and security, but they are not doing so.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran has some definite principles that have been relied on despite all the problems. Today, Iran is not the country that it used to be 30-40 years ago. Today, by God’s grace, Iran has made progress and will make much more progress in the future. Everyone, our young generation, will witness the progress and will participate in the construction of the desirable Islamic Iran.