The State Security personnel and plainclothes operatives attempted to prevent the teachers’ demonstrations and others from joining the rallies.

On Monday, January 31, teachers in 120 cities across Iran demonstrated for the third day in a row in protest of their dire living circumstances, low incomes, and lack of respect for their requests. The liberation of imprisoned teachers was another major demand of the teachers’ demonstrations. All of the protests were led by female teachers who were enthusiastic and visible.

 Security was forced to retreat because of the women’s resistance

The teachers’ demonstration took place after two days of state-wide sit-ins and in a high-security atmosphere. By obstructing the routes leading to the teachers’ gatherings, the State Security personnel and plainclothes operatives attempted to prevent the teachers’ demonstrations and others from joining the rallies. However, they were forced to retreat because of the persistence of teachers, particularly women’s resistance. During the teachers’ demonstration, some teachers were arrested in Tehran, Marivan, and Fars provinces. Despite the massive security presence in Shiraz, enormous masses marched through the streets, demanding the release of imprisoned teachers.

A resolution was issued as a result of the teachers’ rally. In the resolution, they stated: “We have gathered here today to proclaim that Iran’s educational structure is deteriorating. There is less educational equity than ever before. We have gathered to declare that we are fed up and that the lives and livelihoods of retired and employed teachers and educators, like the majority of society and working people, are in crisis.

We have gathered to declare that we are fed up and that the lives and livelihoods of retired and employed teachers and educators, like the majority of society and working people, are in crisis.

It appears that no one in the ruling system is listening

Educators have been protesting the status quo in various ways for months. However, it appears that no one in the ruling system is listening. Today, more than ever, we emphasize and declare: “If the law on pension equalization for retirees is not implemented by mid-March; “If the Teachers Ranking Plan is not fully ratified and the budgets for this and the following year are not approved; “If education privatization and monetization are not halted, and the government continues to earn the per capita education budget from the pockets of parents and students;

“In other words, if the rulers disregard the provision of free and high-quality education for students enshrined in Article 30 of the Constitution; “If the rights of the most hardworking school employees are not addressed; “If the Teachers’ Reserve Fund continues to be looted; “If contract forces are not given job security; “And if the detention of activist teachers, as well as the fabrication of cases against protesting teachers, is not stopped, and the teachers are not released from prison;

“As previously stated, we will continue our sit-ins from February 12 to February 17. “On Thursday, February 18th, we will announce a nationwide rally,” the statement said.”

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook) and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouT