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Volume 13, Issue 3 
COVER PAGE
FEATURE
REGIONAL NEWS PRACTICAL INFORMATION
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Practical Information
Education in Post-Revolutionary Iranby Robert SedgwickEditor
F
ollowing the overthrow of the Shah in 1979, Iran's education system underwent a dramatic process of Islamization. Schools and universities were viewed as particularly crucial for re-educating the masses and disseminating the ideals of the revolution. Hence, curricula and textbooks were revised to promote the Islamic teachings of the late Ayatollah Khomeini emphasizing his doctrine of government (velayet-i faqih), which calls for the rule of the true imams. Academics who did not embrace the revolution and pledge loyalty to its leaders were quickly purged from educational institutions.
After 1983 the demand for higher education increased significantly, pressing the government to implement some reforms. As a result, new institutions were opened and additional postgraduate courses were added to the existing curriculum. Before 1989, privately owned colleges and universities were not allowed to operate in Iran. However, a change in policy that year permitted private institutions to offer courses for the first time since the shah was overthrown.
The most recent statistics show that in 1996-97 there were 579,070 students enrolled in public higher education in Iran, up from 478,455 students in 1994-95. About 30 percent of these students were women. Six years ago the Ministry of Education estimated that the enrollment rate of students, aged 20-24, was about 12 percent.
Primary education (grades one through five) is both free and compulsory for children ages six to 11. The subjects taught in elementary school are: the Qur'an, religious teaching, Persian composition, dictation, Persian reading and comprehension, social studies, arts (painting, calligraphy & workmanship), mathematics, and physical education.
Promotion to each grade is based on annual examinations. Pupils complete this phase of their education by passing the primary school leaving examination held at the end of grade five. Those who fail must wait a whole year before taking the exam again. If they fail a second time, they cannot go on to the next phase of education and must instead pursue basic vocational training.
Primary school is followed by three years of general education called the Guidance Cycle (Doreh-e rahnamaii) covering grades six through eight (ages 11-14). The curriculum for this phase of education emphasizes both theoretical and applied knowledge with the aim of determining whether students will pursue academic or technical/vocational studies. Students who successfully pass a regional examination conducted at the end of this cycle are awarded a Certificate of General Education/General Certificate of Guidance Education. Those who receive appropriate grades on the exam can then continue their education in either the academic or technical/vocational tracks.
This phase of education covers three years (formerly four) from grade nine through grade 11 (ages 14 to 17). Pupils at this level undertake either an academic or technical/vocational track contingent on their aptitude shown during the Guidance Cycle. Each track has its own admission criteria approved by the Supreme Council of Education.
Secondary education at state institutions is free of charge. However, students are obliged to pay fees for heating, maintenance and textbooks.
The General/Academic Track
The general/academic track, sometimes called the "theoretical branch" consists of two stages lasting a total of three years. The first two years of this track cover a general curriculum, and the final year allows students to specialize in one of four areas: literature and arts, natural sciences, physics and mathematics, or social sciences and economics. About 80 percent of the subjects are mandatory, and the rest are comprised of electives.
At the end of this cycle, students take national examinations conducted by the Ministry of Education. Successful candidates are awarded the Diplom-Motevaseteh (National High School Diploma) which provides access to the pre-university year or employment.
The Technical/Vocational Track
Students who are placed in the technical/vocational track after the Guidance Cycle enter either a two-year vocational or agricultural program, or a four-year technical program at a technical school. The two-year vocational program (ages 14 to 16) is designed to train skilled workers and farmers and leads to the Trade Certificate.
The four-year technical program, which trains lower grade technicians, is divided into three main branches (technical, services and agriculture) and leads to a Second Class Technician's Certificate. Higher skilled workers are trained at post-secondary institutes of technology (see below).
Students who complete the general/academic track in upper secondary school and pass a national examination are eligible to enter the pre-university cycle. This phase of education lasts for one year (completion of 24 semester credits) leading to the Certificate of Completion/Diploma.
Students who complete the pre-university cycle are eligible to take the Konkur (University Entrance Examination) for admission to the first year of undergraduate study.
Iran has 46 universities (daneshgah), 60 post-secondary technical institutions, about 200 colleges/higher institutes/professional schools (madrasai-ali) and a number of teacher-training colleges. When the Islamic Republic was proclaimed in1979, the High Council of the Cultural Revolution was established as the supreme policy-making body for higher education. After Khomeini took power many universities and colleges were either closed (all higher education institutions were shut down between 1980-83) or given new names.
Admission to an institution of higher education in Iran requires a Certificate of Completion/Diploma and a passing grade on the Konkur (see above). In addition, some faculties (science, agriculture and medical sciences) require a diplome in science or mathematics.
University Education
Although Iran has a number of private colleges, most of the country's universities are state-run. The 13 most prominent among these are:
Programs and Degrees
Intermediate Award: Associate-level programs are offered in medicine, technical engineering and agriculture at university colleges, higher institutes and technical institutions. The duration of these programs is two or two-and-a-half years leading to the Kardani (associate's degree). Admission requires the completion of the pre-university year and successful results on the Konkur (University Entrance Examination). This is a terminal degree, or it may be used as a stepping stone to undertake the next undergraduate level degree.
First Undergraduate Award: The first main stage of university education requires four years of study leading to the Karshenasi (formerly Licence). Programs follow a semester and credit system, with 140 semester credit hours (60 in the major field) required to earn a first degree.
Graduate Award: Students who hold a Karshenasi degree and pass another competitive entrance exam can continue on for a Kashenasi-arshad (formerly Fogh-Licence). Programs require two years of study (40 semester credit hour courses), a written thesis and a passing grade on a comprehensive examination.
Graduate Doctorate Award: Holders of the kashenasi-arshad can go on for a Doctor of Philosophy after passing an entrance test set by the university. The program is divided into coursework and research, and requires at least three years of study (60 credit hours). Upon completing 30 semester units, students take the Comprehension Examination before moving onto the second phase of the program, which entails the writing of a dissertation.
Specialized Doctorates: The Doctor in pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine and medicine is a professional qualification awarded after six years of full-time study (the completion of 210-290 semester credits), in addition to a thesis. Admission requires completion of the pre-university year and a passing score on the Konkur (University Entrance Examination). Candidates who obtain this qualification are eligible to practice in their field of specialization or enter the Doctor of Philosophy program.
Non-University Higher Education
There are many colleges and institutes that provide post-secondary technical training in Iran. Technical institutes offer programs that last between two and two-and-a-half years leading to the Fogh Diplom (Higher Diploma) or First-Class Technician's Certificate. These programs are open to graduates of four-year technical and general secondary schools.
Primary School Teacher Training
Girls who have completed the Guidance Cycle of secondary school are eligible to enter Normal Schools for a two-year program designed to train primary school teachers for rural areas. Students who graduate complete the general/academic track of Upper Secondary School and undertake a one-year course at a teacher-training center.
Secondary School Teacher Training
Lower secondary school or Guidance Cycle teachers are educated at two-year training institutions (Daneshsari-rahnamai), which offer programs leading to a kardani. Admission to these programs requires a secondary school diploma and a passing grade on an entrance exam conducted for these colleges. Students specialize in one of 12 subject areas. Guidance Cycle teachers may upgrade to secondary school level by undertaking a two-year program leading to a bachelor-level degree in education.
There are two types of programs for teacher training in Iran: A four-year course leading to the karshenasi. This program is undertaken in two stages: the first two-year stage prepares candidates for the Guidance Cycle of secondary school. Students who finish the second two years and hold a karshenasi degree are also qualified to teach at the upper secondary school Pre-University Cycle levels.
Upper secondary school teachers are trained at teacher-training colleges and at universities. The main institutions for secondary school teacher training are Tarbiat Moallam University (with branches all over the country) and University for Teacher Education (formerly the National Teachers College), both in Tehran. Faculties at many of the major universities — Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Mashhad Universities — also offer both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in education. Admission to these programs is based on a special entrance examination. Candidates planning to teach in either the academic or the technical tracks must have a karshenasi or its equivalent. Teachers in the academic track holding a bachelor's degree can either complete a one-year professional education program in fields other than education, or complete a four-year bachelor degree program in education.
Several colleges within various universities, starting with the Teacher Training University (formerly the National Teacher's College of Tehran), have established one-year programs designed to train teachers for both levels of secondary education. These programs are open to holders of the Kardani.
Higher Education Teacher Training
Higher education teachers are trained at Tarbiat Modaress University.
Technical and Vocational Teacher Training
Technical and vocational school teachers are trained in special colleges offering two- and four-year programs. Two-year programs lead to the Fogh Diplom (Higher Diploma) and train teachers for vocational school. The four-year program leads to a bachelor level and prepares candidates to teach at technical schools. Admission to these programs requires a secondary school diploma in either the academic or technical branches.
DISTANCE LEARNING AND OPEN UNIVERSITESMost public universities offer evening classes geared towards working professionals. The curriculum is the same as daytime classes, although night students are charged tuition fees. The Distance Learning University (Daneshgah-e Payam-e Nur), established in 1987, is a state institution even though it charges tuition fees. Classes and degree programs are offered through correspondence courses, audio-visual materials, and television and radio. In 1994 the Distance Learning University enrolled 87,000 students and is still expanding, opening new branches across the country. Admission is gained through a national entrance exam. Degrees from this institution are recognized by the Ministry of Education.
Sources Country Education Profiles: Iran; National Office of Overseas Recognition; Australia, 1992. Education in Times of Transition; World Yearbook of Education; Great Britain, 2000 International Guide to Qualifications in Education; British Council; Great Britain, 1996. Iran-Elementary & Secondary Education; Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc; United States, 1998 The System of Education in Iran; Danish Refugee Council; Copenhagen; 1999. World Guide to Higher Education; UNESCO; France, 1996.
E-mail your comments to the editor The eWENR staff welcomes your feedback regarding this article or the newsletter in general.
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