Women teachers barred from teaching Iranian boys older
than 10
TEHRAN, April 4 (AFP) - The Iranian education ministry has forbidden
female language instructors from holding classes for schoolboys over the
age of 10, newspapers reported Sunday.
"Foreign language instructors of one sex are not authorised to
give lessons to children of the opposite sex in private schools,"
said an education ministry statement quoted in the press.
"The presence of women teachers in classes with schoolboys over
the age of 10 is forbidden," the statement said noting that male instructors
are not allowed to teach schoolgirls either.
In recent years, more and more language institutes have opened in Iran,
particularly in the capital, in response to a growing desire to learn English.
The conservative wing of the Iranian regime is carrying out a campaign
for the Islamization of numerous public educational and medical facilities.
The conservative-dominated parliament in April 1998, adopted a law for
the "Islamization" of medical facilities focussing on the separation
of sexes in Iran's hospitals.
The drive for full separation of the sexes is facing strong opposition
from moderate circles in the government of President Mohammad Khatami.
Islamic codes in force in Iran forbid all physical contact between men
and women outside the immediate family.
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