Statements in Meeting with a Group of Teachers and Educators from Across the Country

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

And may God's blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure family.

Welcome, my dear ones! With your pure breaths, you have perfumed this space, this Hussainiya. Truly, the breath of a teacher is a pure breath, and wherever teachers are present, one can be assured that divine mercy and blessings, God willing, will be in that space and place. We hope that God grants you the success to carry out this great task, this immense responsibility, both you teachers and you officials of education, in the best possible manner.

It is the month of Rajab; and in this profound and beautiful hymn that you sang, there was a reference to the month of Rajab, the month of seeking intercession, the month of attention and prayer. In this noble month, believers who recite prayers ask the Almighty God in this manner: "O God, guide me with the guidance of the guided ones, and grant me the diligence of the diligent ones, and do not make me among the heedless and distant ones." How significant are all three phrases! The last phrase, which is forgiveness, is the foundation of all actions: "And forgive me on the Day of Judgment." The guidance of the guided ones and the efforts of the diligent ones are what you ask from the Almighty God in this prayer. Reflect, if these two factors are present in you and me, all problems will be solved; both divine guidance will be bestowed upon us, and the efforts of the historical diligent ones will be evident in our actions, our words, and our character. In the third phrase, the harm is mentioned: "And do not make me among the heedless and distant ones." Heedlessness is the greatest harm; heedlessness from the path, heedlessness from the goal, heedlessness from ability, heedlessness from opportunity, heedlessness from the enemy, heedlessness from the duty that today rests upon you and me; heedlessness. Our greatest enemy is heedlessness. The first enemy that brings us to our knees before other enemies is heedlessness; "And do not make me among the heedless and distant ones." The result of this heedlessness is distance; distance from God, distance from the goal, distance from success. The themes of prayers are knowledge, monotheism, and lessons of life; with this attention, let us recite prayers and benefit from the atmosphere of this month.

Teacher's Week has been named in memory of our dear martyr, the late Ayatollah Motahhari. Martyr Motahhari had many outstanding qualities, but in my opinion, the hallmark of his character was that he was a teacher; he was a teacher in the seminary, a teacher in the university, and even in ordinary life, he was a teacher; his speeches were also educational, they were lessons; because they were with sincerity, because they were with diligence; that is, with effort. I had seen examples of this great man's scientific efforts up close. He had notes for every topic; wherever he observed a point, he would immediately take it and note it down and place it in a specific location. He had shown me envelopes in which he had noted various topics. At that time, I was amazed at his patience, his enthusiasm, and his diligence! Well, the result is that today, 35 years after the martyrdom of this man, his books and words are still alive. Today, those same books, those same words, those same teachings are beneficial for our young generation, they are beneficial for our researchers. Of course, we do not want to say that these suffice; no, there are new discussions, new thoughts, new doubts, and there must be those who work in a Motahhari-like manner; however, this name is a lasting name.

Well, today, the main points I want to present are several notes regarding education. Now, we have other issues as well, and we may address them, but our main issue today is education; an issue that is important to me. The reason is that education is essentially the foundational center for creating the future world. Ultimately, we will have a tomorrow, 20 years from now, 25 years from now, a generation will come to power that is currently being produced, is in the process of coming into existence; the producer of that is the teacher and education. You are producing a generation; how will you produce it? This is very important. The future of the country, the future of our world depends on today's efforts in education; this is no small matter. We do not have any other institution that is as significant as this. Yes, they study in universities, they study in seminaries, they are educated in social environments, but the influential role of the teacher is unparalleled; the role that a teacher can have in the intellectual and spiritual impact on the audience, who is our child today and the man and woman of our future, is unmatched, unparalleled; neither father, nor mother, nor environment, none of these have that role. A teacher is such a thing; education is such an institution. In terms of contact with the living environment of people, education has the most extensive contact with society; you have nearly 13 million students, with their parents - which are 26 million parents - this makes 39 million, plus one million teachers and education staff; almost 40 million people are directly connected to this institution; which other institution do you have that has such an impactful and important level of contact with society? This is why we emphasize education.

Well, let me say a word about this institution, and that is - we have said this many times, we repeat it again - that for such an institution, whatever we spend is not an expense, it is an investment; let us look at the economy of education in this way. The economy of education is not like the economy of any other institution; here, whatever you spend, you are actually investing; this is the fundamental and essential sentence that I expect the country's officials, government officials, and our people to pay attention to. Well, this is about the importance of the education institution.

In this large institution, the pivotal point, the intermediary, the one who is actually managing the field and everyone must provide the preparations for him, who is it? The teacher. The main field commander is the teacher. Various institutions, different organizations, various documents, textbooks, and so on, are all supporters of this main intermediary. A good teacher is that being whose impact - as we mentioned - is unparalleled; if we have a good teacher, even in a system like the traditional school system, he will be able to train great men; as you see, they have trained. A good teacher can create great men, prominent personalities, even in a system that is not very compatible; thus, the essence is the teacher.

Well, what does the teacher want to do? I have noted this here; producing a generation with these characteristics: knowledgeable, faithful, self-confident, hopeful, energetic, physically and mentally healthy, insightful, determined, low-cost and high-benefit; the teacher wants to educate a generation like this; these are not trivial matters. When it is said that the teacher does the work of the prophets, well, this is a phrase we say; let us delve into the depth of this phrase; what does this phrase mean? "He purifies them and teaches them the Book and wisdom"; the work of the prophets is this; the work of the prophets is the salvation of humanity, the work of the prophets is to create a superior and higher human society; this is the work of the prophets; we say "the teacher is engaged in the work of the prophets", "teaching is the work of the prophets", the depth of this phrase and the essence of this phrase is this. This is the teacher.

Well, this has its requirements. One of the requirements is the issue of the economy that I mentioned; the economy of education, the livelihood of teachers, is one of the requirements. We know the limitations of government institutions; we are not unaware of the limitations and problems that exist, but the determination of government officials must be to pay special attention to this sector. As we mentioned, this is an investment; this has returns; this produces added value; this is not merely an expense; this must be among our top issues in government management and in government decisions. If we do not do this, the enemy will take advantage; you see. From this point, the enemy, with their media, on their radio, with their agents, with ill-intentioned individuals towards the system and towards Islam, will take advantage of these tools and means. Of course, our teachers are both vigilant, noble, and faithful; I truly believe this; over the years, we have tested this, and today we see it across the country; our teachers are not unaware of the enemy's plots. Those who, under the title of "livelihood", give a slogan, include several provocative and political slogans alongside it, everyone understands that the motivation of these individuals is not a healthy one, it is not for the sake of the teacher, they have other goals. Just as a certain foreign media that starts to operate on this issue - which you see is currently active, and has been more active for some time - this is not out of concern; this is to create problems for the system, to create trouble for the system; out of malice and animosity towards Islam and towards the independence of the country and towards the Islamic Republic system; but ultimately, we should not give them an excuse. Government institutions and those responsible for financial and economic matters should pay attention to this point; this should be among their main programs. This is one matter. Of course, as we mentioned, teachers must be vigilant, and they are; fortunately, our teachers are vigilant. [That some individuals commit injustice against the system, injustice against the revolution in any way they can - they strike their sting, they pour their poison, they are against the system - is out of hatred for the system, not out of love for the teacher; any other slogan they find, they use it similarly.

Another issue is the issue of the Teacher Training University, which I have previously mentioned, both in private discussions with the esteemed minister and in public discussions with teachers; the Teacher Training University is very important. All processes that lead to the recruitment of teachers for teaching and education must be healthy and measured against Islamic and revolutionary criteria. If we do this, the result will be what you want; it will be pleasing to God, and for the future of the country - as I mentioned - it will generate a magnificent and hopeful generation; if these considerations are not observed, then no. In the Teacher Training University, both the curriculum and the content of the courses are important, and the professors are important, the faculty is important. We must consider what kind of person we want to train and send to the children of the people to build them and produce great humans? This is very important. Therefore, the issue of qualifications, the issue of professors, the issue of textbooks, the content of the courses in the university is very important.

Another issue is the fundamental transformation of education, which fortunately today the esteemed minister referred to and briefly mentioned the activities that have been carried out; I have also seen the report previously. What is important is that regarding this fundamental transformation, the principle that our education system needs a transformation has been accepted by all. This old education system in the country, if it had no other flaws, the mere fact that no innovation has emerged over time would be enough for one to reject it and believe in fundamental transformation. This transformative document, which fortunately was prepared and communicated two or three years ago and based on which planning was done, is a good document according to the expert and distinguished scholars of education; those who are engaged in this work, experts in this field, confirm this document; they say that the fundamental transformation document, which has been prepared with hours of work, with long times and with effort, has been helped by everyone to be prepared and communicated, this has been confirmed by experts and specialists in education and they say it is a very solid and important document. Therefore, this document must be implemented. Of course, one should not expect quick results from such things; these are not things whose results will appear within a year, two years, or five years; these are things that require patience, effort, and continuous work.

One point is that the coherence of this document must be maintained. It has been mentioned that a number of the provisions of this document have been implemented; this is good, but all provisions of this document must be implemented; this is a cohesive collection. That we implement some provisions, say forty articles or so, and leave the rest neglected, this will not lead to results. The coherence of this collection must be maintained. When all provisions of this collection are acted upon, then the work will progress, will speed up, and will be done correctly.

Another point is that the body of education in the country should become familiar with this document; they should know what the demands of this document are. A teacher who teaches in a certain elementary or high school should know what this fundamental transformation has asked of him. The principal and head of the elementary or high school should know what his duty and obligation towards the student is based on this document. The demands of this document must be specified; we must plan to clarify the demands of the document widely and extensively in education, to discuss it.

Another issue is that the propaganda and national media institutions must come to help. It is even sometimes suggested that a dedicated radio and television network be established for this work so that this issue can be explained and clarified. This, of course, depends on the education officials sitting down with the media officials and them cooperating.

Another important topic regarding this document that the esteemed minister fortunately referred to today is the capacity of the sixth program. The policies of the sixth program are currently being drafted, and then the program itself will be drafted, approved, and implemented. In this program and under this program, the issue of education and the fundamental transformation document must definitely be considered so that we know what we will have in education in 1404.

One fundamental point is this, I say to the education officials, be careful that superficial programs and surface-level changes do not take the place of fundamental transformation; do not let us be satisfied, do not let us be happy that we are making changes. Superficial changes are not important; the essence is that the provisions of the fundamental transformation should gradually renovate this structure; this is important.

Fortunately, the conditions are also ready; when I look at the country, it seems to me that today the conditions for you and the esteemed education officials to qualitatively improve education, for fundamental and essential transformation in this important and sensitive institution are more prepared. There was a time when we had eighteen million students, today we have less than thirteen million students; this is an opportunity. There was a time when we were seriously struggling with educational spaces; two-shift and three-shift schools were not uncommon across the country; today, fortunately, that situation does not exist. In most parts of the country, schools are in good condition; there are also individuals who are interested, who come and enter, and this flow must be maintained. Today, therefore, the conditions are ready for us to be able to carry out this transformation. In any case, fortunately, the country is stable, it has security, and government officials are working with enthusiasm. Today is the day that we can, God willing, bring education to a fundamental, qualitative, and content-based essential point. And as I mentioned, the axis of this transformation is the teachers; the one who stands in the middle of the field is you dear teachers. I extend my greetings to all teachers across the country through this medium and at this moment, and I hope that God keeps all dear teachers under His support.

One point outside the topic of education exists, which is among the fundamental issues of the country, and that is the nature of the enemy's approach towards the Islamic Republic. Throughout these 35 years, the grandeur of this great popular movement has always captured the eyes of the enemies of the Islamic Republic. They have boasted, they have tried everything they could, but the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic have had grandeur in their eyes; this grandeur must be preserved; this grandeur must remain preserved; it is a reality, not an illusion. We are a large country, a nation of over seventy million, with a deep and authentic cultural and historical background, possessing courage, possessing determination, a nation that defends its identity and its personality [we are]; one example of this appeared in the eight years of sacred defense. In these eight years, all the powerful of the world - East and West - and their affiliates and reactionaries all came together to bring the Iranian nation to its knees [but] they could not. Is it not appropriate for this nation to have grandeur and greatness in the eyes of global observers? This greatness must be preserved. We are a system whose political officials from various countries and those who are informed have told us this; some have told us - some have not dared to tell us and have said it in their gatherings, and we have heard about it - that these sanctions that they have imposed against Iran and this pressure they have exerted against the Islamic Republic, if it were against any other country, it would have destroyed it, it would have disintegrated it, but it has not been able to shake the Islamic Republic. This is not a small matter; this is a very significant event, of course, global propaganda always places a cover, a veil, a dust over its audience that prevents many from seeing the realities; however, at the same time, many people around the world, many nations, especially those who are close to us, see the realities; and all political officials around the world see the realities; do not look at their words; these heads and political officials and spokespersons of various Western and European and American institutions who sometimes say irrelevant things, all of them in their hearts acknowledge this greatness, this grandeur, this power, this merit for the Iranian nation and see it, but in their speech, they act differently.

I have repeatedly spoken about these negotiations and [issues] related to nuclear matters and the like; we have said a lot and what we needed to say has been said, but everyone should pay attention - both our foreign policy officials and various other officials, and the elites of society - if a nation cannot defend its identity, its greatness, as it is, against foreigners, it will certainly be beaten; there is no going around it. One must appreciate their personality and identity. The enemy threatens; just a few days ago, two officials from the United States made military threats; now we are not concerned with those individuals who do not have very important and sensitive responsibilities. I do not understand what negotiating under the shadow of a threat means? To negotiate under the shadow of a threat! As if a sword is hanging over [us]. The Iranian nation is not like this; the Iranian nation does not tolerate negotiations under the shadow of a threat. Why do they threaten? Why do they overstep? They say if this does not happen, that will not happen, we may launch a military attack on Iran; first of all, you are mistaken; secondly, I said during the previous U.S. president's time - they were also threatening then - that the era of hit-and-run is over; it is not that you say we will hit and run; no, your feet will get caught, and we will pursue you. It is not that the Iranian nation will let anyone who wants to attack the Iranian nation go; we will pursue them. This meaning must be understood by everyone; our negotiators must also pay attention; the red lines and fundamental lines that have been stated must always be in their minds, which of course must be, God willing, in their consideration, and they will not cross these lines; but this meaning is also unacceptable that they constantly sit and threaten. What threat? You need these negotiations less than we do; yes, we would like the sanctions to be lifted, but even if the sanctions are not lifted, we can manage ourselves through other means; this has been proven. One day I raised this issue; today, fortunately, we see economists, various officials, individuals knowledgeable in the economic issues of the country, all constantly repeat this; they say it is not that the economic issues of the country are dependent on these sanctions so that by lifting the sanctions, economic problems will be resolved; no, economic problems can be resolved by our own will, by our own intention, by our own hands, with our own measures, whether there are sanctions or not. Of course, it is easier if there are no sanctions; if there are sanctions, it is a bit more difficult, but it is possible. This is our position regarding the negotiations. However, the current U.S. government has a real need for these negotiations; they need this as a fundamental point in their record, that they can say we managed to bring the Islamic Republic of Iran to the negotiating table and impose such and such matters on it; they need this. If the need of the other side for these negotiations is greater than ours - which it certainly is - at least it is not less than ours; why do they threaten? I do not agree with negotiations that take place under the shadow of a threat. They can go and talk, negotiate, reach an agreement, that is fine - of course while adhering to those main lines - but under no circumstances should they accept imposition, should they accept force, should they accept humiliation, should they accept threats.

Today, their reputation in the world has also diminished. You observe this movement that the Saudi government is undertaking in the issue of Yemen; in no logic, with no statement is it justifiable. A person sends an airplane to another country because why do you accept such and such a person as president, do not accept such and such a person; they begin to kill people, destroy infrastructures, commit atrocities, kill women and children, set everything on fire; this has no justification. The Americans are supporting this unjustifiable movement and this great crime. Is there any greater disgrace than this? Today, America has no reputation in the eyes of the nations of the region; all are witnessing this situation; they explicitly say we support this; they do not even feel ashamed; meanwhile, they tell us why you help? We wanted to provide medical assistance, we wanted to send medicine for the sick; we did not want to send weapons; they do not need our weapons; all the military bases of Yemen and the Yemeni army are in the hands of the revolutionary and fighting people and this Ansarullah group; they do not need our weapons; we wanted to send medicine for them. You have besieged a nation in terms of medicine, you have besieged them in terms of food, you have besieged them in terms of energy, and then you say no one should help them! You did not even allow the Red Crescent to provide services; meanwhile, they are providing military information to the Saudis, supplying them with weapons, providing them with facilities, encouraging them politically; they have no reputation. The Iranian nation has chosen a path that is solid, stable, and has a good outcome, and with God's grace and to the dismay of the enemies, this path will reach its results, and the Iranian nation will succeed; and the enemies will see that they have not been able to achieve their nefarious goals against the Iranian nation.

God's mercy be upon our dear martyrs who sacrificed their lives, and upon our Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) who opened this path for us; and God's mercy be upon you, dear brothers and sisters, the faithful and devoted ones who are present in this scene.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.