According to reports received by Avatoday, only a few days after the dismissal of Zeytun Kahezadi, the principal of Ferdowsi Girls’ Elementary School in the city of Javanrud, Kermanshah Province, another educator, Mehri Khosravi-zadeh, the school’s deputy for cultural and educational affairs, has now been prosecuted and removed from her position.
This came after students at Ferdowsi Girls’ Elementary School in Javanrud performed the song “The Path of Struggle” on the anniversary of the Halabja chemical bombing, leading to pressure from Iran’s intelligence and judicial institutions on several teachers at the school.
According to Avatoday, in addition to Kahezadi, Mehri Khosravi-zadeh was summoned and dismissed on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” Khosravi-zadeh is said to have been responsible for student cultural programs.
“The Path of Struggle” is a well-known Kurdish freedom song conveying a message of resistance, unity, and hope for a humane future.
For years, the Islamic Republic has systematically repressed Kurdish teachers because of their union activities or pro-freedom positions. Throughout decades of authoritarian rule, Kurdish educators have played a crucial role in raising social awareness. They also strive to preserve the Kurdish language and have been directly involved in anti-government movements—from the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising to nationwide teachers’ strikes.
Since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, pressure on Kurdish teachers has intensified, as the authorities view them as a vital link connecting social protests, labor demands, and Kurdish national identity. Security agencies routinely accuse these teachers of “acting against national security” or “promoting separatism”, even when they simply advocate for the right to education, fair wages, or mother-tongue instruction.
Teachers who have voluntarily taught Kurdish have been arrested, sentenced to long prison terms, administratively exiled, or dismissed from their jobs.
