Title: President Pezeshkian Champions Grassroots Power and Faith in Building Iran’s Educational Future
In a powerful address on the role of civic participation in national development, President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined a vision where community initiative, underpinned by faith and collective will, is the key to overcoming challenges and building a prosperous future for Iran.
A Collective Endeavor
Speaking during a provincial trip to Qazvin at a conference on educational justice, President Pezeshkian praised the spirit of volunteerism in constructing schools. He described witnessing ordinary citizens, from the elderly to the youth, dedicating themselves to building educational facilities as “the sweetest moments in life.”
“This movement is an epic of collective spirit and social belief that must be valued,” the President stated. “It shows that if the people step onto the stage, all problems can be solved. Instead of pinning our hopes and hearts on others, we must rely on ourselves and on God.”
A Vision Rooted in Faith and Perspective
President Pezeshkian anchored his message in a profound worldview, drawing from his reflections on the Quran. He emphasized that a religious belief centered on an “infinite perspective” fosters far-sighted and creative citizens.
“True worship means moving towards what is superior and higher,” he said. “If we forget God, we forget ourselves. When the spirit of God is breathed into a human, they gain the ability to create and perform astounding work. This is the divine talent placed within human existence.”
He argued that this belief should translate into an unwavering demand for high-quality education. “A person who reaches this divine belief cannot be satisfied with weak education and low-quality schools. When we worship God, we must be the best; we should not accept our children receiving an incomplete education.”
Building Schools, Forging Character
The President clarified that the government’s focus is not merely on the physical construction of schools but on the quality of education and character building within them. He stressed the importance of instilling values like honesty and integrity from a young age.
“The foundation of education must be based on collective work and cooperation,” he urged. “We must learn to stand together, for when we join hands, no problem will remain in this land. Every crisis, every obstacle, is solvable with collective will.”
National Pride and Self-Reliance
A significant part of his address focused on fostering national pride and self-reliance. President Pezeshkian cautioned against an educational culture that encourages talent to seek opportunities abroad.
“The disaster is when the youth of the country believe they must leave Iran to grow,” he remarked. “The belief must be formed that if one must go, it is to learn and return, to build and develop this very land.”
He concluded with a message of resilience and unwavering effort, quoting scripture: “Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” He affirmed, “We are alive as long as we are not at rest. With the help of divine power and the unity and empathy of the people, we will overcome all problems.”
A Concrete Step Forward
Prior to the President’s speech, a concrete step was taken towards these goals with the signing of 30 memoranda of understanding for the construction of new schools in Qazvin province. Five of these were signed symbolically in the presence of President Pezeshkian, marking a new path for the development of educational spaces and the realization of educational justice through partnerships with benefactors, industrial complexes, and civic institutions.