In Iran, there has been a surge in students pursuing degrees in recent years as education holds high value in Iranian society. However, the pressure to obtain degrees has become intertwined with socioeconomic factors and political realities, leading to a culture that prioritizes credentials over genuine learning. This has fostered an increase in degree seeking among the population, which has been driven by competition for limited opportunities in higher education and the job market.
With a large youth population and few employment prospects, obtaining a degree is often seen as crucial for securing stable employment and advancing socioeconomically. Additionally, the politicization of education has further complicated the landscape, with government policies, ideological biases, and censorship impacting educational curricula and limiting academic freedoms. As a result, many students in Iran have become disillusioned with the educational system, feeling pressured to pursue degrees as a way to navigate an uncertain future.
Recognizing this issue, Reza Saberi, the legal deputy of the Ministry of Science in Iran recently announced plans to shut down 10 institutions involved in the sale of theses and counterfeit documents. These fraudulent services prey on individuals seeking shortcuts to academic credentials, exploiting vulnerabilities within the educational system. By cracking down on these institutions, Iran is taking steps towards restoring academic integrity and addressing broader issues facing its educational landscape.
The rise in degree seeking among young people reflects broader systemic issues within the educational sector. While education holds high value in Iranian society
