“They Stole Everything!”: How Creators Can Protect Their Content in the Age of AI Copy-Paste
New $65,000 private school uses AI to teach students just two hours a day
8 career habits that quietly ruin your reputation
Test. Is It Time for You to Take a Vacation?
Test: Your Historical Mentor: Who Will Help You Unlock Your Potential?
Test. Where does your energy leak away on weekdays?
English
Русский
Deutsch
Español
Iran shifts schools to distance learning
Iran's Ministry of Education has officially announced the suspension of in-person classes in all educational institutions across the country. From April 21, schools, colleges and universities are switching to distance learning for an indefinite period – until further notice from the authorities.
The decision was made against the backdrop of escalating conflict with the United States and Israel. From April 21, the educational process is organised through two channels: via a special online platform based on Iran's national intranet network, and through state television programmes called "Iran TV School."
According to the head of Iran's Organisation for Renovation, Development and Equipping of Schools, more than 640 educational buildings in 17 provinces of the country have been damaged. Of these, about 250 buildings have been seriously damaged and require complete reconstruction. These damages not only disrupt the educational process but also create long-term problems for restoring the education system after the conflict ends.
Simultaneously with the shift to remote learning, Iran has been almost completely cut off from the global internet. According to NetBlocks, an international organisation specialising in monitoring internet censorship, the country has experienced the longest national internet shutdown in history.
Most internet traffic now passes through the national intranet network, which is strictly restricted and only allows access to domestic Iranian sites. The transition to distance learning via the national intranet network creates serious problems, especially for children from low-income families and the country's poorest regions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran had already tried to introduce elements of online learning through applications and platforms operating on the national internet. But even then, serious difficulties arose. In some provinces, such as Sistan and Baluchestan, internet infrastructure is practically non-existent. Most of the population accesses the internet via mobile phones, but the level of smartphone and laptop ownership in these regions is extremely low.
To address the lack of internet in some parts of the country, some classes have been moved to state television. The "Iran TV School" programme broadcasts core subjects on a schedule. However, experts acknowledge that the television format can only be supplementary and is unlikely to replace full interaction between teachers and students.
