He believes that the software is happy, not “a series” that has “many” problems. He says that “virtual education (distance learning) is not the same as in-person education” and in his opinion “education is a two-way process.” He also believes that “we cannot risk the health of teachers, students, and their families.” He is Hossein Haghighi, the representative of the eleventh term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from the electoral districts of Shahriar, Shahre Qods, and Malard in Tehran province, and a member of the Education and Research Commission of the Assembly. In his opinion, schools and universities can only be reopened when professors, teachers, and students are vaccinated against the coronavirus and appropriate vaccines are provided for students and they are also vaccinated. At the same time, he knows and says that “in our country, the coronavirus vaccine is not available for those under the age of eighteen, i.e. students.”

Given the situation of importing the coronavirus vaccine and the issues that have been raised about it, there is almost no clear outlook in this regard. As a result, it is unclear when the vaccine will be “available” for students in our country and for how long, even for years, virtual education will continue.

The monthly conversation with him was held before the decision-making session in the Education Committee of the Parliament regarding the reopening of schools and universities. The session resulted in a decision to gradually and partially reopen schools and universities from mid-October. The outcome of the Education Committee’s session also shows that even for the legislative and executive bodies of the country, the issue of how education will be conducted in the upcoming academic year is still unclear.

You can read the explanation of the monthly “Khat-e-Solh” magazine interview with Hossein Haghverdi, representative and member of the Education Commission of the Parliament, below.

Teacher vaccination is underway. At what stage is this vaccination and how many teachers have been or will be vaccinated?

A meeting will be held in the Education and Research Commission with the presence of the acting Minister of Education, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology to discuss the reopening of schools and universities. Our top priority is the health and safety of teachers, professors, students, and their families. If the National Coronavirus Task Force approves the vaccination of 100% of teachers, professors, and students, and strict health protocols are followed, a decision will be made to reopen schools for in-person learning. This decision is only for planning purposes and may not necessarily be implemented. Currently, the vaccination program is underway. Reports show that the vaccination process is going well, but it is not yet complete. The majority of our cultural colleagues have been vaccinated. Vaccinations for university professors have begun and students will also be vaccinated. As for student vaccinations, since most students are under 18 years old, there is currently no vaccine available for adolescents or tailored to their age group in the

Are teachers eligible for vaccination as well?

Yes, all teachers are getting vaccinated. They are also teaching and busy with their classes. There is no difference between official teachers, substitute teachers, etc. in terms of the vaccine.

Imagine in the upcoming meeting, the Education Committee reaches the conclusion that schools should reopen, are the students vaccinated?

No. This session is only for reporting. There is no decision to be made about whether schools will open or not! Definitely, in the first of Mehr (September 23rd), we will not have in-person education. Currently, we do not have the possibility of in-person education because vaccination is still ongoing and not completed. Considering the issues I mentioned, if 100% of teachers, 100% of professors, and 100% of students are vaccinated and an appropriate vaccine is also provided for students, and authorities announce that 100% vaccination has been completed, with adherence to health protocols, then a decision can be made about in-person education. An appropriate vaccine must also be provided for students, which is currently not available.

“When will schools reopen, provided that all these conditions are met?”

This is my opinion.

In this account and considering these conditions, do you think virtual education is a priority?

Probably yes.

But virtual education has also had its own set of problems. For example, the software itself has had issues and has posed serious challenges for many teachers and students. What is your opinion on this matter?

A series of no! It has a lot of problems. But we have to. We cannot put the health of teachers, students, and their families at risk. Surely, virtual education (distance learning) is not the same as in-person education. Learning is a two-way process. This process should be in-person. But in situations where there is no choice, this is the solution. This is not a matter of choice, but a matter of necessity.

“For elementary education, it is necessary for children to attend school, which shapes their character and relationship with their teacher. If this education is virtual, this does not happen. What is your opinion on this matter?”

I mentioned that distance learning and virtual education are not our choice. It is a result of compulsion. Meaning that in a situation where we are losing five to six hundred lives a day, we have no other solution. Especially in the elementary level where you know that students themselves do not adhere to many issues.

Some students living in deprived areas have not had access to smartphones, laptops, and the internet during the past year and a half. What will their situation be like? Has a decision been made about this?

We have three million students who have problems with virtual education and studying. Some rural areas have a low student population. Some of those areas are either white or blue, and the prevalence of disease is low. I think in some areas where the prevalence of disease is not high and the student population is low, it may be possible to hold in-person sessions by vaccinating teachers. In addition, the government must definitely consider the basic needs of students who are affected and do not have the necessary tools for studying.

Coronavirus has affected the economy of teachers. Teachers have always been a low-income group and coronavirus has exacerbated this situation. Has any decision been made in this regard? What can the parliament do to help?

In this regard, the ranking plan for teachers is being discussed, which has no connection to the coronavirus. Whether there is a coronavirus or not, teachers’ salaries have been low. The ranking issue has been raised and approved in the Education Commission and is now on the agenda for the parliament. This means that the presiding board must present it and then the representatives will give their opinions and it will be turned into a plan. God willing, with the implementation of the representatives’ opinions, the approved plan will be passed and the Guardian Council will also confirm it to become a law.

In the draft that the government had submitted, a budget plan for three years was considered. The Education Commission has concluded that it should be implemented from this year. As a result, it will be implemented from this year to the extent of the allocated budget, and it will also be taken into account in the annual budget for the following year.

Regarding the ranking of teachers, different teacher groups had criticisms about the implementation and budgeting of the plan, and they basically believe that it is unlikely for this plan to be implemented. Have these criticisms been taken into consideration?

I presented that for this year, the allocated budget has been considered. It will also be taken into account in the annual budget for future years.

The Minister of Education was the only minister who did not receive a vote. What will be the future of this ministry? Especially in these current circumstances of the coronavirus and the issues that have been raised, do you think the government can manage this ministry with an interim head?

The government is ready to introduce a competent individual familiar with the structure of education and training, and the parliament is prepared to quickly review it and hold a vote of confidence session.

Thank you for the time you have given to the peace line.