Here we present the second and concluding part of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s May Day speech in Tehran on the occasion of Teachers’ Week, calling on the Iranian people to be on alert against the battle formations of the enemies who are pursuing the dubious 2030 Agenda at the educational institutions for training and recruiting foot soldiers in the future for the US and Britain.
The Leader said: “The Revolution overthrew this (Pahlavi) regime. It delivered the country from the clutches of these mean, small and oppressive persons. The revolutionary spirit is the life and soul of this nation. Will a pen that weakens this spirit in the people and that makes them doubt it be forgiven by God?
“In order to transform the educational system, there is a need for revolutionary spirit. “Revolutionary spirit” means not being fearful, not having certain considerations and not being conservative. When you make a decision, you should take action and move forward. You should not be satisfied with stagnancy and you should not do things in an ostentatious manner. Sometimes, you do something, but it is a mere formality and it is carried out in a showy way. This is poisonous! This should not be the case. You should do tasks in a serious manner. Of course, when I say that you should not be stagnant, that you should move forward and take action, this does not mean that you should not listen to criticism if it is legitimate. This should not be the case because this is a revolutionary move. You should appreciate and listen to well-informed criticism. You should receive critics warmly. This is the first point.
“The second point is that the research and educational planning organization is the heart of the educational system. Educational planning is a very important matter. The educational texts and materials that are produced at this center and organization should be compatible with the regulations of the transformation plan. Of course, I have heard that they are working on it. I have received a report showing that they are carrying this out, but it should be done at a faster pace and in a more serious way.
“According to the report that I have received, they have set a 12-year timetable in order to do this. No. Twelve years is not acceptable! Should the compatibility of educational materials with the transformation plan occur after 12 years? No, it should not be like this. The present time is an era in which hours play an important part in the progress of societies. It is about hours, not about 12 years. You should set a timetable, but it should be short. You should increase your endeavors and seriousness.
“These educational materials should cultivate youth in the same way that I explained. One of the points that should definitely receive attention in the preparation of these materials is that revolutionary messages and teachings should be included in them. Revolutionary teachings should not only be seen in the ethics textbook and the like or in the literature textbook and other such textbooks. Revolutionary teachings, concepts and lessons can be included in all books and texts.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said: “I have said many times that a math or physics teacher might sometimes utter one word in the classroom which might exert more influence than one hour of speech. This is how it is. Revolutionary teachings should be inserted. Therefore, you should take a serious approach towards the research and educational planning organization and you should attach great significance to it. You should fill that organization with knowledgeable, well-informed, intellectual, pious and revolutionary personalities.
“Another issue is about Farhangian University [Teacher Training University] and the Martyr Rajai University. I am aware that there has been progress in terms of quantity and it should be so. Quantity is not enough yet. The educational system is still suffering from a vast wave of retirement which should be made up for. Both quantity and quality should be improved. Everything that is done at should be in line with the religious and revolutionary cultivation of teachers.
“You should strive to help schools and classrooms benefit from teachers who teach religion, piety, morality and revolutionary values in the true sense of the word. You should not give in to this and that person’s pressures. I have heard that sometimes different centers of power exert pressure. You should observe the law.
“Another issue is about exceptional talents schools which is a very important matter. It is very important to build outstanding personalities. Exceptional talents schools should be strengthened as much as they can. The country’s position in international competitions should be preserved. I have heard that we have been demoted in a number of fields. We have been demoted in mathematics, physics, computer sciences and chemistry. These things should be made up for. One of the sources of honour for the country is the children who participate in international competitions and who achieve a high rank. You should not allow their rank to go down.
“Another issue and point is about vivacity and enthusiasm in the school environment. I have repeated this many times whether regarding university students, the youth of the country in general or school students. They should be in an energetic and enthusiastic environment. When we speak about being energetic, they think that there should be an atmosphere of jumping up and down and dancing. Being energetic does not mean this. Being energetic means that youth should be lively so much so that they do not wither. This should be provided with sports and with instructive and attractive extracurricular plans. I have heard that some schools are not in good condition in this regard. They do certain things in the name of liveliness. Liveliness means doing something to help youth become fresh, enthusiastic, hopeful, motivated, ready to work and energetic so that they study their lessons.”
The Leader deplored: “In some schools, they pressure teenagers and youth so much that they become exhausted. They pressure youth and teenagers for the sake of their own name. In my opinion, you should think about these matters. You should think about the entrance exam. Now our universities speak of ‘empty seats’ – every year. You should think about it in a proper, deep and practical way and then you should follow it up with action so that you can resolve the matter.
“I would like to raise two additional points. The first is about teachers’ livelihood problems. Teachers are respectable, honourable and well-credited individuals. Therefore, their dignity should be preserved. We should adopt such an approach towards the financial income of teachers that their dignity will not be jeopardized. Some individuals who work on different partisan and political matters and who possibly have connections with foreigners are trying to take advantage of this weak point for the sake of their own goals.
The second point is about flood-stricken students. You should not allow them to fall behind in terms of education. God willing, this should be pursued in a serious way. Many schools have been destroyed. Building and renovating them requires great endeavor and large sums of money. This should be fulfilled with the help of the administration, the people and benefactors. As long as this has not been done, those flood-stricken students who stay in temporary places and camps or wherever they are, should not fall behind their educational schedule. The issue of education is very important.
“As for the general issue which I wanted to discuss, thankfully today there are many organizations in charge of scientific, educational and research affairs. They should be proud of managing to foil the false temptation to create a confrontation between science and religion. Materialistic powers have been working on this for two, three centuries in a bid to prove that science and religion do not get along. Today, the flag of religion in the Islamic Republic is taller than all other countries. In terms of science too, the country is one of the leading countries in the world. Not only have secular countries, countries obedient to the US and countries whose policies follow western and American policies, fallen behind in terms of religion, but they have also fallen behind in terms of science!”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out: “I have heard that an Arab journalist has said, addressing his own rulers, “The difference between Iran and you is that Iran builds reactors while you build bars. They enrich uranium while you distribute wine and promote western forms of perversion and corruption in your society.”
“Today in Iran, thousands of researchers and thinkers – whether in universities or in other centers – are busy teaching and working. I am saying this based on reliable information. Most of them are young, pious and very religious with an Islamic identity, and with an identity demonstrating a glorious Iran. They are working with motivation in different areas. They innovate, educate, do research and produce science. And they produce technology on the basis of that science. Of course, because we used to suffer from grave backwardness, the movement that has been launched in the country today should continue for many years. It is a very good and intense movement, but it should continue for years to come so that the results will be completely seen.
“Another issue is about acquiring expertise which I had insisted on before. This means implementing scientific findings and passing this to school and university students. Of course, the main center for this task is the educational system. This should start from high schools. If the spirit of acquiring expertise is kindled in the youth – that is to say, if they learn how to implement scientific findings - then the fruits of it will be many in the future.
“The last issue that I want to discuss with you dear ones is that you should notice that our enemy is busy attacking from all sides today. You can already see his attack in the area of the economy. In terms of intelligence too, they are busy hatching plots to infiltrate. In the area of cyber space too, they are planning on striking the country. Anyway, it is the enemy. The enemy primarily means the US and Zionism.
“The enemy is not particular to the current US administration. The previous ones had the same approach, but in different ways. The help that the person currently in power in the US has given us – for which we should be grateful – is that he has displayed the naked truth about the US. As I had mentioned before, the previous ones used to wear velvet gloves over their iron fists. Many people did not see this, but they were wrong. But these idiots are taking off their gloves and showing their iron fists to everyone.
They are making an explicit move. The enemy is entering the arena from all sides. The officials of the country, all capable personalities and the masses of the people should do whatever they can in the face of this enemy. They should prepare themselves in every area and field that they can and they should be present in the arena. They should have a sense of responsibility.”
Ayatollah Khamenei warned: “The enemy is in battle formation. It is on war footing in the area of the economy. It is on war footing in the area of politics. In the area of the military, it is apparently not in battle formation, but our military is on alert in any case. As I mentioned, the enemy is on war footing in the area of cyber space. In the face of this enemy which is on war footing against the people of Iran, the people should be properly arrayed. They should prepare themselves in all areas.
“One of the most fundamental tasks is preserving unity and solidarity. The masses of the people should take care against confronting each other due to small differences of opinion and disagreements. They should know that the power of this nation lies in unity: the unity of the masses of the people, the unity of various social groups, the unity of the different tribes who live in the country and the unity of the officials of the country with the people and the unity of the people with the officials of the country.
“This is what empowers the country, as it has empowered it until today. Thankfully, this power exists and it should be preserved. And they should know that by Allah’s favour, the plots that the enemy is hatching and all the schemes that it is devising against the Iranian nation, will end up to its own disadvantage despite the vast propaganda campaigns that they have launched in order to disturb minds and to distort the realities.
“By the Grace of Allah, you dear youth will see the defeat of the US. By Allah’s favour, you will witness that the Zionist regime will be brought to its knees. By Allah’s favour, you will be witness to the greatness and ultimate dignity of the Iranian nation.
“God’s mercy be on our magnanimous Late Imam Khomeini. God’s mercy be upon our dear martyrs. God’s mercy be upon all the mujahids striving on the path of truth.”
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