Iran’s New Academic Year Begins: Stability in Start Times and Teacher Placements
Tehran – As the new academic year commences in the Iranian month of Mehr, education officials have confirmed a smooth and orderly start, addressing key operational questions regarding school schedules and teacher staffing.
School Start Times to Remain Unchanged
In response to inquiries about potential adjustments to school start times due to previous energy considerations, Ministry of Education spokesman Ali Farhadi provided clarity. He stated that the commencement time for the new school year will mirror that of the previous year, with no changes implemented at the start of the term.
“The school start time and the academic year are like last Mehr month and have not changed,” Farhadi confirmed. He added that should any adjustments be required later in the year, official communications will be made to inform the public. Last year, elementary schools began at 8:00 AM, while secondary schools started their day at 7:30 AM.
Adequate Teacher Allocation Ensured
Addressing concerns of a teacher shortage, spokesman Farhadi emphatically stated that the 2024-2025 academic year will begin on time with “enthusiasm and energy.” He assured the public that comprehensive planning has eliminated any issues related to human resource shortages.
“We have planned in such a way that we will neither have a class without a teacher, nor will we have a teacher whose class is not specified by the first of Mehr,” he said. Farhadi highlighted that precise and continuous planning has been conducted to ensure a problem-free start for all schools across the nation.
Strong Student Enrollment Figures
The Ministry reports robust registration numbers, signaling strong public participation in the education system. Enrollment in primary schools has reached 100% of the expected figure, with some regions even exceeding this target—a phenomenon attributed to students registering in areas different from their place of birth.
For secondary education, enrollment is also progressing strongly. Approximately 92% of students in both lower and upper secondary levels have already registered. Farhadi noted that a surge in registrations is typical in the final week of Shahrivar due to tenant relocations and, for tenth-grade students, the process of selecting their field of study. The Ministry expressed hope for full enrollment completion soon and urged parents to finalize registrations promptly.
Status of Contract Teachers Clarified
A key point of discussion was the status of approximately 23,000 contract teachers (Hoghooghtadris). Farhadi clarified that in accordance with national regulations, no new personnel are added to the education system except through official employment exams or via the Farhangian University and Shahid Rajaei University training pipelines.
He confirmed that all teachers who served in this capacity last year will continue their service for the new academic year. “All teachers who were engaged as free contract teachers last year will be serving this year as well, which amounts to about 23,000 people,” he stated.
This announcement underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining educational stability and continuity, ensuring that the academic year begins with a strong foundation for students and educators alike.