Iranians were hopeful when President Hassan Rouhani’s administration came into office. But two years into the government’s term, many civil society organizations have yet to see a change in their situation. Moreover, some have even received treatment similar to that experienced under the previous administration of Principlist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association (ITTA) is one of these organizations. After having staged continuous rallies to voice its demands for improved conditions, ITTA and its members have received nothing but rough treatment at the hands of the authorities.

ITTA member Mehdi Bohlouli told Al-Monitor, “The teachers’ main demands are related to both their financial situation as well as status. These teachers are unhappy with the state of their livelihoods — their salaries and wages — as well as their social and work conditions, which unfortunately have drastically declined in recent years. Even in the Ahmadinejad era [2005-13], when a certain security atmosphere prevailed over the country, ITTA issued annual statements and wrote letters each year to request that its demands be met.” Bohlouli added that things appeared to be changing when the new government came into power: “The atmosphere seemed to open up, creating hope among teachers that they would now be able to voice their objections more openly, as they had done in 2006 and the years before that, and not be faced with security measures.”

When asked to expand on his assertion that Iranian teachers have demands related to their status, Bohlouli said, “In Iran’s centralized education system, the teacher has no authority. Based on available education guidelines, the teacher has to be effective in decisions regarding all educational matters, while in reality, they are allowed to only play a minimal role.” He added, “If the teachers’ discontent is heard and given a proper response, it would benefit all of society. In my opinion, as a teacher who has worked in Iran’s education system for 24 years, today’s society is being harmed by the ineffective education system.”

The current wave of teacher-led protests in Iran first began last winter. In addition to their usual demands, teachers are also criticizing salaries set out in the budget for the current Iranian year, which began March 21 and will end March 20, 2016. Bohlouli told Al-Monitor, “The first nationwide teacher rallies took place in the month of Dey [Dec. 22, 2014-Jan. 20, 2015]. These were spontaneous demonstrations, and although ITTA accompanied the teachers, it was not at the forefront. The cause of these protests was the teachers’ realization that the Rouhani administration had in no way prioritized the Ministry of Education when planning the budget.”