School rules and pressures

School rules and pressures

Behavioural Expectations

  • Schools in Iran enforce a strict code of conduct that covers behaviour in the classroom, in the schoolyard, and on school trips.
  • Students are expected to show respect to their teachers, behaving politely and attentively during lessons.
  • Discipline is taken very seriously, with infractions resulting in detentions, family meetings, or, in serious cases, school-level sanctions.
  • Many schools enforce a uniform policy, and any deviation from this can result in disciplinary action.

Academic Pressure

  • From an early age, Iranian students experience significant pressure to excel academically.
  • This pressure tends to increase at the high school level, where students must prepare for the rigorously competitive Konkur exams.
  • Continuous assessments throughout the school year increase the pressure on students to perform consistently well.
  • Both parents and teachers frequently discuss the direct correlation between academic success and future career opportunities, further adding to the stress students may feel.

Social Pressures

  • Like in many societies, school in Iran can come with social pressures associated with popularity, bullying, and peer groups.
  • With social media use on the rise, the impact of online bullying and the pressure to present a perfect image online is a new challenge that today’s students face.
  • The transition from primary to middle school, and then from middle to high school, often brings a new set of social challenges as students need to form new friendships.

Religious Expectations

  • As a majority Muslim nation, schools in Iran adhere to Islamic customs and values. This is reflected in the rules of the school as well as classroom content.
  • Girls are typically required to wear a headscarf (hijab) after they reach puberty. Boys may also be required to dress in a way that is consistent with Islamic customs.
  • During Ramadan, Muslim students are expected to observe fasting rules during school hours. Depending on the school, there may be adjustments made to allow for prayer times.