While the slogan of “national unity” has been raised as a key principle in the government of physicians, it seems that this concept is more used as a tool to maintain and perpetuate repression in some government institutions, especially the Ministry of Education. National unity, which could have meant an effort towards convergence and participation of teachers and education enthusiasts, has been interpreted in another way: giving privileges to security and military institutions and their continued domination over various sections of education.

The real issue of education and upbringing: decentralization or security control?

One of the fundamental problems of education and training in recent years has been the lack of real participation of teachers and a high level of managerial focus in this ministry. Instead of solving structural problems and decentralizing, governments have sought to create a secure space for greater control over teachers and union activists. The medical profession is not exempt from this rule. Contrary to the expectations of reformist political organizations in the field of education, recent appointments in the Ministry of Education show that not only will there be no transformation in the structure of education and training, but the previous repressive policies will continue in a softer form.

New Minister: Gradual Suppression Instead of Overt Suppression.

“Alireza Kazemi”, the new Minister of Education in the Medical Government, is from the circle of fundamentalists who pursue repressive methods gradually and with a gentle appearance. While in the previous government, the former minister openly and without any cover-up suppressed teachers and union activists, Kazemi follows the same path with a more subtle and secretive approach. This type of gradual repressive policy is designed to create the illusion of national unity and social convergence, but in reality, it is a tool to strengthen the control of security institutions over the educational system of the country.

“Promoting ‘prayer’ is the main policy of Kazemi’s education and upbringing.”

In one of his first speeches after receiving a vote of confidence from the parliament, Kazemi announced his main policy in this ministry to be promoting the culture of prayer among students. This is while the ministries that Kazemi is leading are facing numerous structural problems.

While the population of children who have dropped out of school has reached over one million and this year, we have a shortage of more than two hundred thousand educational staff in this ministry (government statistics indicate a shortage of 176,000 teachers), for Kazemi, the top priority is implementing ideological policies in the field of public education. Of course, it is not surprising for Kazemi, with his background in religious education and previous managerial positions at the level of deputy for education and deputy for the drug control headquarters, to have such a directive.

Jalili Election Headquarters and Key Posts.

A look at the key choices of the Ministry of Education in the Medical Doctors’ government shows that the policy of suppression not only has not decreased, but continues with tactical changes. Individuals who previously played an important role in resolving issues of teachers and professional activists during the desert period, such as Reza Roustaee and Mojtaba Hashemi, are now also employed in key positions in the Secretariat, selection committees, and supervision.

As mentioned, it is expected that the same policies of security and discipline will be followed in this government, even in the field of education and upbringing.