International Teachers’ Day participants listened to statements from imprisoned teachers in Iran

On 5^th October 2018, teachers and retired teachers celebrated International Teachers’ day in different forms in Iran.

In Tehran, the Retired Union called for a gathering which teachers, retired teachers, other social practitioners and families of imprisoned teachers attended.

The attendees managed to organise phone calls with three imprisoned teachers to hear their messages about International Teachers’ Day. Mohammad Habibi, Ismail Abdi and Mahmood Beheshti, who were arrested and imprisoned for attending teachers’ protests, congratulated their colleagues and reiterated their demands of teachers and retired teachers.

The attendees welcomed the messages from their imprisoned colleagues and shouted slogans in defence of the imprisoned teachers and called for their freedom. Khadijeh Rowshanzamir, partner of Mohammad Habibi, gave a speech calling for a worthy educational system and for the release of all imprisoned teachers.

The ceremony ended by honouring the families of the imprisoned teachers and presenting flowers to Mansooreh Farahzadi, a retired teacher with 43 years teaching experience.

In Karaj, teachers, social practitioners and the family of Ismail Abdi gathered in Tandis Jahanshir Park and called for the release of all imprisoned teachers.

In Gilan, members of the board of directors of  the Teachers’ Association of Gilan gathered and called for the release of imprisoned teachers. In the gathering they also restated the demands of teachers including “free education for all” and an end to privatisation.

In Yazd, a group of teachers displayed a banner in Imam Hosein Square to commemorate International Teachers’ Day.

In Ashnavieh, a group of worker and civil right activists and the mountain climbing group“Pishrow” (progressive), climbed Randooleh peak in commemoration of International Teachers’ Day and International Children’s day. They held up placards calling for the release of imprisoned teachers.

Two of the imprisoned teachers, Mahmood Beheshti and Ismail Abdi and the Teachers’ Association, and Writers’ Association released statements on the occasion and called for “free education”, “an end to privatisation of schools and the commercialisation of education” and “release of imprisoned teachers”. The demands were central to all gatherings and statements on the occasion of the International Teachers’ Day in Iran.

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