Sanandaj, Western Iran—Leila Salimi, a prominent teacher and union activist from Sanandaj, the capital of Iran’s Kurdistan Province, has had her dismissal from the Ministry of Education reduced to a two-month suspension. The appeals board issued the revised ruling for administrative violations.
Leila Salimi, a teacher with 32 years of experience and a provincial award-winning researcher, holds a doctorate in management. She was initially dismissed earlier this year by the preliminary board of the Ministry of Education in Kurdistan Province. The charges against her were linked to her union activities and membership in the Kurdistan Teachers’ Association in Sanandaj, a group advocating for teachers’ rights.
After Salimi contested the dismissal, her case underwent further review, and hearings were held. As a result, the appeals board commuted her dismissal to a two-month suspension from her teaching position.
This case highlights the ongoing suppression of union activity in Iran, particularly in Kurdish regions. Teachers’ rights activists, especially those advocating for better working conditions and educational reforms, have faced increasing scrutiny and disciplinary measures from the Iranian regime.
Leila Salimi’s years of dedicated service and educational achievements stand in stark contrast to the charges levied against her, sparking concerns over the targeting of educators and union members for their activism.
This ruling underscores the challenges faced by professionals advocating for change within the framework of Iran’s education system, where activism is often met with punitive actions. Advocates have called for international attention to the plight of activists like Salimi, whose work aims to improve the education sector in a region already grappling with systemic neglect.
