Statement from the Trade Union Councils of the Country's Universities: Millions of Students Are Deprived of Access to Virtual Education

On Tuesday, February 27, 2020, a number of university trade councils across the country issued a statement addressed to the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, while pointing out issues and problems related to virtual education, such as the deprivation of millions of students from access to quality and equal education, and calling for addressing the weaknesses in this category and realizing the inalienable right to free education for all these people.

Part of the statement reads: “Our question is, after nearly a year of the closure of major welfare services in universities and the saving of these funds, why has no credit been provided for free internet and support for students? Why has the news of students being deprived of virtual education not caused a change in the policies of that ministry? In this past year or so, students have been left in the midst of their pain and deprivation, and we are blackened by news of suicides, deaths, or the collapse of our friends.”

According to HRANA News Agency, citing the National Student Union Council, a number of university union councils across the country issued a statement demanding the right to quality and free education for the country's students.

It is worth noting that HRANA previously presented a report on the International Right to Education Day, examining the status of education and training and the treatment of activists in this field, including teachers and students, between January 24, 2020 and January 24, 2021.

The full text of this statement follows:

In the name of Allah

Honorable Minister of Science, Research and Technology

Hello.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the resulting virtual education have deprived millions of students of access to quality and equal education. According to one of the deputy ministers of the Ministry of Education, about 5 million students do not have access to the infrastructure or appropriate electronic devices to use virtual education. We still do not have accurate statistics on the student population deprived of virtual education, but field observations by activists and trade union councils indicate major deprivations and problems in students' access to virtual education. After a year, there is still no specific plan to provide free student packages. The electronic platforms considered by universities sometimes have fundamental problems that make it impossible to use these platforms. A significant number of students are forced to pursue their classes, research, and scientific work outside of these platforms and at exorbitant costs. This is while during in-person education, universities also provided students with internet packages for research work at the university. Students are facing serious problems in providing resources for their classes. While it was possible to use the library while attending university, students now have to choose between paying for books or losing grades.

Our question is, in nearly a year since the closure of most welfare services in universities and the saving of these funds, why has no credit been provided for free internet and support for students? Why, in the meantime, has the news of students being denied access to virtual education not caused a change in the policies of that ministry? In this year or so, students have been left in the midst of their pain and deprivation, and we are blackened by news of our friends' suicides, deaths, or collapses.

Dear Mr. Gholami;

On the eve of the final exams of the first semester of this academic year, and despite major deprivations and restrictions during virtual education, we are witnessing unprecedented strictness compared to the in-person education period. This process has tested the resilience of students and we are facing a wave of despair, anxiety, and anger among our colleagues. Hereby, we, the union councils across the country, warning of the widespread consequences of such laws unrelated to the current crisis situation and reminding of the indisputable right to free education, announce our six clear demands for immediate follow-up by Your Excellency as follows:

1- Not removing students for absences throughout the semester, due to the numerous problems mentioned in the description above.

2- Considering alternative activities instead of attendance and participation grades in class to avoid violating the rights of students who have been deprived of participating in the classroom for any reason.

3- Failure to determine classroom and exam resources, which cannot be provided except by paying fees from students.

4- The right to skip a semester without counting it in years.

5- Invalidation of probation and non-inclusion in academic records

6- Recognizing student committees elected by trade union councils to follow up on the many problems existing in virtual education at the university level and requiring universities to receive the opinions of trade union councils and review them before making decisions regarding the next academic semester.

Source: HRANA