Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iran- Jan. 25, 2019 – Teachers in the provinces of Kermanshah, Alborz, Isfahan and Ardabil rallied on Thursday, protesting delayed paychecks and poor living conditions. Skyrocketing prices of every day goods and inflation are becoming major concerns for these hard-working and yet deprived teachers throughout the country.
Teachers in Kermanshah, western Iran, were chanting:
“We deserve decent living conditions – Public education without further expenses is our right – Workers, teachers, students, unite, unite”
A group of teachers in Ardabil, northwest Iran, rallied outside the provincial Education Department, protesting officials’ refusal to respond to their demands.
Ardabil, northwest Iran – Teachers rallying outside the Education Department
Ardabil, northwest Iran – Teachers rallying outside the Education Department
Ardabil, northwest Iran – Teachers rallying outside the Education Department
Ardabil, northwest Iran – Teachers rallying outside the Education Department
In Alborz Province, northern Iran, the teachers were chanting, “Inflation, high prices, answer to us Rouhani,” referring to the regime’s President Hassan Rouhani.
In Isfahan Province, central Iran, the teachers were protesting against all the injustice they are suffering under the mullahs’ regime.
Teachers rallying in Alborz Province
Teachers rallying in Alborz Province
Teachers rallying in Alborz Province
Teachers rally in Isfahan, central Iran
Teachers rally in Isfahan, central Iran
Teachers rallying outside the Education Department in Alborz Province, northern Iran
Teachers rallying outside the Education Department in Alborz Province, northern Iran
Protesting teachers in Kermanshah issued a statement at the end of their rally on Thursday. Segments include:
Following various measures, especially the large rally held on January 10 for the provincial teachers, to this day we have received no answers to any of our demands. Therefore, we have decided to recall our demands alongside teachers of other provinces, and protesting retirees.
1. Unconditional release of all jailed teachers and closing all judicial dossiers against teachers.
2. Kermanshah Province should be considered a war zone (due to recent earthquakes) and enjoying all the resulting support for the residents and teachers. The current policies that fail to do so are leaving the current and retired teachers with dire need of aid.
3. Stopping all types of threats and illegal summoning of teachers due to their professional and association activities.
4. The government must cancel all plans described as “Full Time Teachers” that are against their rights.
5. Balancing the 2019 Education Budget based on true inflation rates. (Analysts in the U.S. have evaluated Iran’s inflation to be over 160%)
6. Increasing teachers’ wages and retired teachers’ pensions higher than the true inflation rate.
7. Teachers should receive wages equal to other government employees.
8. Cancelling all failed insurances and launching an effective insurance system for working and retired teachers.
9. Providing necessary funding for schools, establishing adequate learning conditions, decent public schools.
10. Cancelling all plans to privatize public schools.
11. Recognizing associations of working and retired teachers, and lifting all limitations and pressuring measures.
12. Ending any type of education injustice for all students while providing adequate care for inadequate schools in villages.
13. Classifying all teachers based on their experience.
