Iran Implements Landmark Teacher Classification Plan, Boosting Salaries and Education Quality
In a significant move for Iran’s education sector, the long-awaited Teacher Job Classification Plan has been officially implemented, marking a new chapter for the nation’s educators and school system. After 13 years of development, the comprehensive reform is set to substantially increase teacher compensation and overhaul human resource management within the Ministry of Education.
A Shift to Merit-Based Appointments
Central to the new plan is a shift towards a merit-based system for the recruitment, training, and deployment of teachers. Designed to address the challenge of employing under-qualified instructors, the reform ensures educators are placed in classrooms based on their specific expertise and skills. Ali Bagherzadeh, Head of the Human Resources Planning Center at the Ministry of Education, stated the initiative is fundamentally aimed at enhancing the overall quality of education in schools across the country.
Substantial Salary Increases for Educators
The most immediate impact for teachers will be a considerable rise in income. According to Aladdin Rafiezadeh, Head of the Administrative and Employment Affairs Organization, the average “special allowance” for teachers will see a major boost. This key component of their salary is set to increase from its current rate of 21% to a new range of 35% to 50%, representing a potential near 50% uplift in total pay for many.
Further financial enhancements include a raise in hourly wages for certain teaching contracts, which have jumped from 44,000 tomans to 104,000 tomans per hour. Support staff, including school aides and service personnel, have also seen their salaries increase by between 4 to 5.6 million tomans.
Modernizing Teacher Training and Curriculum
To complement the structural changes, the academic fields of study for teachers have been comprehensively reviewed and updated. This modernization of teacher training is designed to better equip educators with the latest knowledge and pedagogical skills, enabling them to effectively address contemporary educational challenges and further elevate teaching standards.
Long-Term Impacts and National Investment
The plan’s vision extends beyond immediate salary adjustments. By reforming managerial processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, it allows teachers to focus more intently on their primary mission: delivering high-quality education. The government has further demonstrated its commitment to strengthening the education system’s human capital through the recruitment of 29,750 new teachers and the granting of permits for 32,000 teacher training students.
Addressing Expectations and Moving Forward
While the announcement has been met with optimism, some educators have expressed a desire for greater transparency regarding the precise timing of the new payments and the full details of the increases. Although some reports have pointed to potential delays in budget allocation, officials like Mr. Bagherzadeh have emphatically stated that the plan’s implementation within the current year is definitive.
This ambitious reform is widely viewed as a critical investment in Iran’s future, aiming to improve the livelihood of its educators and, in turn, foster a more robust and effective national education system.
Source: Intitar
