Rewritten Title: Navigating Early Education: Affordability and Access in Iran’s Preschool System
Article:
The Rising Imperative of Preschool
While not mandatory, preschool education in Iran is increasingly viewed as an essential foundation for a child’s academic future. The marked difference in learning levels between first-graders who have attended preschool and those who have not has transformed this optional year into a critical starting point for educational development. However, for a significant portion of families, accessing quality early childhood education has become a profound financial and social challenge.
The Affordability Crisis
The core of the issue lies in cost. Annual tuition at some private preschools has reached figures as high as 60 million tomans, a sum that is often insurmountable for families living on standard wages. This financial barrier has forced parents to seek out alternative, more affordable options. Many are turning to state-run schools, municipal cultural centers, and even mosques that offer programs at a fraction of the cost, sometimes around 20 million tomans. For numerous households, these alternatives are no longer a choice but a necessity.
Systemic Challenges and Educational Gaps
The problem is twofold. Beyond high private tuition, there is a shortage of public schools offering preschool programs, and those that do often fill their capacity quickly. This frequently leaves parents with no option but to enroll their children in private institutions. The reliance on community centers and mosques, while providing a vital service, has raised concerns from officials about educational standards. The head of the National Organization for the Education and Training of Children, Hamidreza Sheikholeslam, has explicitly stated that using mosque spaces for preschool is “not standard” and “not legal,” as they often operate outside the official regulatory and licensing framework.
This situation risks creating an educational divide. Children from families with limited means may not have access to trained educators and standardized curricula approved by the National Organization, potentially reproducing social inequalities from the earliest years of life—a period meant to be the starting point for educational equity.
Official Oversight and Government Response
In response to these challenges, the National Organization for the Education and Training of Children emphasizes a structured regulatory approach. Officials have outlined a clear, itemized formula for setting private preschool tuitions, which factors in property rent, equipment, human resource costs, and operational expenses to prevent what they term “unconventional fees.”
Sheikholeslam has strongly advised parents to enroll their children only in centers that are officially licensed by the Organization. “The only valid and credible document in the preschool field is one issued by kindergartens and preschool centers that have an establishment and activity license from the National Organization,” he stated. The regulatory process involves issuing warnings to unlicensed centers, with subsequent violations being addressed by provincial education councils chaired by the governor.
Furthermore, the government has initiatives to support underprivileged regions. Sheikholeslam highlighted that financial aid, sometimes covering up to 100% of educational costs, is allocated for children in provinces with high deprivation coefficients, such as Sistan and Baluchestan, to ensure broader access.
A National Priority
As experts warn of the long-term consequences of unequal access to early education—including a potential decline in social capital and a deepening class divide—the national conversation continues. The focus remains on strengthening the regulatory framework, expanding affordable and standardized options, and guiding parents toward certified institutions to ensure that the first step in a child’s educational journey is both accessible and equitable for all.