Teaching Comparative

Civil and political society in Iran

Civil society in Iran faces tight controls, much like those in China. Or would your students prefer a different comparison? If so, why?

This RFE/RL report summarizes reports about protesting teachers.

For State, Teacher Protests Are Security Matter

"Teachers have gathered outside parliament in Tehran on four occasions since their first protest on February 4 to show their dissatisfaction with their salaries and other working conditions.

"The first demonstration was suppressed by security agents and riot police... The government is showing yet again -- as it has with similar collective expressions of discontent by feminists, bus drivers, and students -- that it has little patience for organized protests...

"Teachers have been asking for their salaries to be adjusted in keeping with other public-sector workers in a country where the annual inflation rate ranges from 12 to 20 percent -- according to the varying assertions of government officials and independent observers -- and where teachers' salaries have fallen behind the rising cost of living...

"Teachers were hoping to meet with Education Ministry officials... but met instead with members of the parliamentary presidium ... and the Sarullah Base (Qarargah-i Sarullah)... affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)...

"This was perhaps an indication of the state's security-oriented perspective on the issue. [Authorities] told the teachers' representatives that the meeting was not to negotiate over their demands but to inform them of measures parliament had decided in their favor...

"The Islamic republic's repressive response may also indicate a fear that small and specific protests, if tolerated, may flare up into large-scale demonstrations, as student protests purportedly did in Tehran in 1999..."

Labels: civil society, Iran, politics

posted by Ken Wedding @ 9:10 AM