[Eng. Prayer]Iran: Iran bans all foreign language education in kindergartens and elementary schools

“The LORD foils the plans of the nations. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever.”

The Iranian government immediately banned all foreign language education to prevent growing children from experiencing identity confusion, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported on the 17th (local time). According to reports, Masud Terani-Farzad, a ministry official, said, “Foreign language education is prohibited in kindergartens, nurseries and elementary schools because Iranian identity is formed at this age.”

“All foreign language education, including Arabic, is prohibited as well as English,” he added. Earlier in 2018, Iran banned English education for elementary school students but has been teaching English in secondary school.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, criticized early English education in 2016, saying, “I’m not saying I’m against learning foreign languages but teaching foreign languages at a young age will make foreign cultures prevalent among children and young people.”

In Iran, Persian is used as the official language, not Arabic. In June last year, Iran’s Ministry of Education announced plans to launch a pilot project on French language education in schools across the country to “prevent the dominance of English.”

Last month, the Iranian government banned Iranian or dual-citizenship students from attending international schools, saying that children are obliged to follow the national school curriculum. Due to this decision, the number of students sharply reduced at some international schools, including French and German international schools in the capital Tehran, AFP said. (Source: Yonhap News Agency).

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.  He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. (Psalm 33:10-11,15)

God, may You watch over the Iranian government, which suppresses freedom of education to strengthen its power by establishing a state of its own. May You abolish its vain plans, and let only the will of the Lord be fulfilled. May You help not let excessive vigilance against other cultures get in the way of listening to the gospel and let the generation of Iranian churches and God-loving parents protect their children more and raise them in faith. Also, let the Iranian souls find true freedom in the truth and quickly spread the gospel to this land so that they can find the identity created by God.

Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org