Title: Iran’s ‘Mehr Afarin’ Initiative: A Boost for Educator Welfare and Social Vitality
In a significant move to enhance the welfare of its educators, Iran has launched the ‘Mehr Afarin’ initiative, a comprehensive tourism program designed for teachers and their families. Announced by officials from the Culturalians’ Economy and Welfare Company, this scheme is framed as a pivotal step in honoring the status of educators and increasing social vitality.
Affordable Travel for Educators
Under this new program, active and retired teachers who are members of the institute can access subsidized holiday packages. The key feature allows educators and their immediate families to pay only half of the trip’s cost upfront. The remaining balance can be settled in up to 11 monthly installments, deducted directly from their salaries.
Ali Sadeghi, the Managing Director of the institute, elaborated that a three-night, four-day stay for a teacher and two family members is priced at 12 million Tomans. Each additional person would cost 4 million Tomans. This all-inclusive price covers accommodation in three-star plus and four-star hotels, along with three full meals daily.
A Nationwide Reach
The initiative is set to facilitate travel to major tourist and pilgrimage destinations across the country. The selected cities include Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Kish, Babolsar, Gorgan, and Chaboksar. Sadeghi projected that upon full implementation, the program could serve over 800 educators and their family members weekly.
Commitment to Quality Execution
Emphasizing a commitment to excellence, Sadeghi stated that beyond signing agreements, the focus is on the quality of execution. He confirmed that subsidiary companies in aviation and tourism will be leveraged to ensure the program runs smoothly, adding that he will personally oversee its implementation to guarantee high standards.
Part of a Broader Welfare Vision
Dr. Shokohi, Chairman of the institute’s board of directors, contextualized this initiative within the broader activities of the ‘Committee for the Dignity and Welfare of Culturalians’. He affirmed that the fundamental duty of the institute is to preserve the dignity and stature of educators. The ‘Mehr Afarin’ tourism plan is presented as a tested model, and the institute aims to offer it to its members with minimal shortcomings and in a manner worthy of their standing. The success of this scheme is expected to pave the way for the rollout of other welfare programs for educators in the future.