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In a sweeping move reminiscent of ideological purges, Iran\u2019s clerical regime has dismissed and punished 20,000 school principals, according to revelations by the state-run newspaper Etemad<\/a>. This action is part of a broader strategy to eliminate dissent and enforce loyalty within the country\u2019s educational system.<\/p>\n In a recent report, Morteza Nazari, a former head of the Ministry of Education’s Information Center, disclosed that these dismissals are not routine administrative changes but punitive measures targeting those who supported the 2022 uprising<\/a> following the death of Mahsa Amini. The uprising saw massive participation from students and teachers, who voiced their discontent with the regime\u2019s oppressive policies.<\/p>\n Nazari revealed that the Ministry of Education did not provide clear reasons for the dismissals, suggesting that these educators were treated as expendable “cogs and bolts” rather than valuable professionals. These individuals had reached their positions through years of dedicated service and investment in their education.<\/p>\n Despite the regime\u2019s claims that the changes are part of a natural cycle of retirements and replacements, many view it as a tactic of purging or so-called \u201cpurification,\u201d aimed at removing critics and suppressing any potential for future dissent. Reza Morad Sahraee, the Minister of Education, denied<\/a> that the dismissals were part of such a strategy, calling the turnover a routine annual occurrence.<\/p>\n #Iran<\/a> : Teachers Stage Protests in More Than 100 Cities https:\/\/t.co\/XlHXCvAofP<\/a><\/p>\n — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 22, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n