Title: Iran’s Top Cultural Council Outlines Roadmap for University Admissions Reform
In a significant statement, a senior Iranian official has detailed the current policy direction regarding the highly debated topics of university entrance exams and admission quotas, emphasizing a structured and consensus-driven approach to reform.
No Immediate Abolishment of National University Entrance Exam
Hujjat al-Islam Abdolhossein Khosropanah, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, has clarified that there is currently no directive or plan to eliminate the national university entrance exam, known as the “Konkur.” He explained that, based on expert analysis in the field, the complete removal of the exam is not currently feasible.
“The intense competition for specific fields of study, such as medical sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, makes the abolition of the Konkur impractical for the time being,” Khosropanah stated. He expressed a long-term aspiration, 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.”
Awaiting Government Proposal for Quota Revisions
Addressing the proposal from the President of the Republic to reorganize and revise university admission quotas, the Council’s Secretary provided an update on the procedural steps. He confirmed that a directive was issued from the presidency to the Minister of Science to draft a plan for quota reforms, which would then be presented to the Supreme Council for review.
“While we have not yet officially received this proposal in the Council, reports indicate that the Ministry of Science has submitted its plan to the presidency,” Khosropanah noted.
Emphasizing Inter-Branch Consensus and Legislative Respect
Khosropanah underscored a critical constitutional principle, explaining that a significant portion of the current quota system is based on legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament). “The Supreme Council for the Cultural Revolution does not have the authority to intervene in or alter the Parliament’s legislation,” he clarified.
He stressed that any meaningful and lasting reform to the quota system requires agreement among the three branches of government. “If a decision is to be made on this matter, which is a serious public demand, the Supreme Council, the Government, and the Parliament must reach a consensus. This is essential to ensure both educational justice and the protection of citizens’ legal rights, preventing any potential injustice,” he said.
Responding to speculation that the Council could bypass parliamentary legislation with special authorization, Khosropanah firmly stated, “The emphasis of the Supreme Leader is that if the Parliament has addressed a subject, the Council should not intervene, and vice-versa. It is highly unlikely that the Supreme Council would be permitted to unilaterally revoke the Parliament’s legislation, as the Parliament holds a paramount position in our system of governance.”