Title: National University Entrance Exam to Continue as Officials Weigh Quota Reforms
Tehran – In a significant announcement regarding Iran’s higher education system, a senior official has confirmed that the national university entrance exam, known as the “Konkur,” will remain a central pillar of the admissions process for the foreseeable future.
No Immediate Plans to Scrap the Exam
Abdolhossein Khosropanah, Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, stated that the council currently has no directive or program to eliminate the high-stakes exam. He emphasized that, based on expert analysis in the field, removing the Konkur is not currently feasible.
“The intense competition for specific fields of study, such as medical sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, makes the elimination of the Konkur impractical at this time,” Khosropanah remarked. He expressed a hopeful vision for the future, adding, “We hope a day will come when a student’s academic and behavioral indicators during their school years can become the primary criteria for university admission.”
Proposed Quota Reforms Await Council Review
The official also addressed recent discussions about reforming the quota system for the exam, a topic that has garnered significant public attention. He clarified that while the President had directed the Minister of Science to draft a proposal for amending the quotas, this proposal has not yet been formally submitted to the Supreme Council for review.
Khosropanah underscored the legal framework governing the quotas, noting that a significant portion of the current allocation system is based on legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament). “The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution does not have the authority to intervene in or change the Parliament’s approvals,” he stated.
Emphasis on Inter-Branch Consensus for Reforms
Highlighting the path forward for any potential reforms, the Secretary stressed the necessity of a collaborative agreement among the three branches of governance. “If a decision is to be made on this matter, which is a serious public demand, the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, the Government, and the Parliament must reach a consensus,” he said. “This is essential to ensure both educational justice and the legal rights of all individuals are upheld, preventing any injustice.”
Responding to speculation about the Council’s potential to override parliamentary mandates, Khosropanah reaffirmed the guidance of the Supreme Leader. He explained that the emphasis is on non-interference, meaning that if the Parliament has legislated on a subject, the Council should not intervene, and vice versa. He deemed it unlikely for the Council to unilaterally cancel parliamentary approvals, affirming the Parliament’s pivotal role within the governance structure and society.