Iranian Regime Forces Schoolchildren to Attend Weekly Pro-Government Rallies

TEHRAN, Oct 28: Iran’s education minister has announced a directive requiring schools to coordinate students’ attendance at weekly pro-government gatherings on Wednesday nights, as authorities seek to increase youth participation in public rallies.

Education Minister Alireza Kazemi announced the measure on Monday, describing it as part of a program called “Self-Sacrificing Students.”

“One of the valuable initiatives we have planned is the ‘self-sacrificing students’ program, and we are trying to make the most of this opportunity,” Kazemi said.

He added that the ministry had introduced measures to facilitate student participation in the weekly Wednesday night gatherings and had issued a directive on the matter.

Kazemi also said schools would help organize students’ attendance at a march scheduled for November 4, which he described as voluntary.

Iran’s nightly pro-government rallies have become an increasingly visible display of political support, with gatherings taking place in streets and public squares following the mass protests in January.

The directive places schools at the center of efforts to mobilize student participation in the government-backed events. However, Kazemi’s remarks did not clarify how the requirement for Wednesday night attendance would be implemented or whether participation would be compulsory for individual students.