Simin Yaghoubiān, a labor activist, stated that October 1st marks the beginning of a bitter calculation for many working-class families, warning about economic pressures and the need for fundamental solutions in education. She explained that under current conditions, the costs associated with education, especially for working-class families living on minimum wage, have become a serious challenge.
Economic Hardships and Educational Costs
The ringing in of the 1405 academic year comes at a time when the Iranian economy is facing a deep gap between the minimum wage and the actual cost of living. Recent estimates show that the cost of living for a working-class household has exceeded 80 to 90 million tomans per month, while the salary of a married worker with two children barely reaches 25 million and 650 thousand tomans. This gap clearly indicates the inability to cover basic living expenses, including the education of children.
Commodification of Education and Violation of Legal Rights
Yaghoubiān pointed to the crisis of the commodification of education, stating that this has turned education from a fundamental social right into an economic commodity. While according to Article 30 of the Constitution, the government is obligated to provide free education until the end of secondary school, today families face additional costs even in public schools, which are collected under various titles such as "community contributions."
This labor activist referred to the rising costs of stationery and other educational supplies, noting that for families with multiple school-aged children, these expenses can significantly strain the monthly income of workers. She emphasized that this situation not only affects the quality of education but also has dire social and economic consequences.
In conclusion, Yaghoubiān stressed the need for accountability from the government and responsible institutions, calling for increased support for working-class families. She emphasized that more attention should be paid to educational justice and that the government must provide supportive mechanisms for all families, especially working-class families.
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