Journal of Educational Sciences

Investigating the Relationship between the Incompetency of the Formal Education System of Iran and its Macro Objectives

https://doi.org/10.22055/edus.2021.37511.3233
Volume 28, Issue 2
December 2021
Pages 1-20
Journal of Educational Sciences

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mojtaba Bakhshandeh 1
babak shamshiri 2
Mohammad Hassan Karimi 1
Fariba Khoshbakht 1

1 Fundamentals of Education section, Faculty of Education Science and Psychology, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy of education, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract
Introduction

Despite the importance of ‘the ultimate goal of education’, as one of the most important elements in education, little effort has been made to examine the relationship between this element and the incompetence of the education system in Iran. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the incompetence of the Iranian educational system with regard to ‘the ultimate goal of education’. In all documents written after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, it is highlighted that ‘the ultimate goal’ of the formal education system is to help students develop a religious identity. This study sought to investigate whether ‘the ultimate goal’ set for the Iranian education system was achieved in reality as reflected in the social sphere.


Method
The present study used documentary research to collect data, and the data were analyzed using a descriptive-interpretive approach.


Results
Based on the results of data analysis and considering the apparent discrepancy between the goal established in the high-level documents (i.e., overt end) and what has been achieved in reality in society (i.e., covert end), it seems that the Iranian formal education system has not been successful in achieving the stated goal and that its performance has been incompetent.

Discussion
It can be said that the educational and cultural spheres are currently dominated by a kind of secular education, which is increasingly expanding day by day. Secular education seems to be the covert end challenging the overt end of the Iranian education system. On the other hand, it must be noted that a conservative interpretation of religion, characterized by indoctrination and constraint and adopted by the decision-making body of the education system, has formed the basis of religious planning and education in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since this particular interpretation of religion is based on a misconception of the nature of religion and an incomplete understanding of religious education, it does not have a clear understanding of the methods it prescribes and the context within which education takes place. This incompetence of the education system is rooted in inattention to the need for proper understanding of the nature of religion, for the necessity of questioning in religious education, and for the advisability of the innate nature. These factors have led to the requirements of religious education being neglected and inaccurately described.

Keywords

Iranian official education system
Incompetency
overt & covert end
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