LANÊ MUHAMMEDÎ

Urmia- Despite its rich natural resources and important location, the city of Urmia struggles with many problems such as poverty and poor education system. In Urmia, especially in its rural areas, where Kurds live, the dropout rate is very high.

10 percent of students in Urmia have dropped out of school, according to official statistics, making Urmia to have the highest dropout rate in the country after Sistan and Baluchestan. The dropout rate is high in Urmia not only due to economic and cultural problems, but also discrimination and the policies of the government, according to experts.

‘Families cannot cover education expenses’

Financial problems are considered as one of the main reasons for the high dropout rate in Urmia and its rural areas. Many families cannot cover the education expenses of their children, said Ronak Mohammadi, a primary school teacher in Urmia. “In many villages, schools do not have even minimum resources. Families face difficulties in covering their children’s education expenses. Some families are too poor to provide a meal to their children.”

‘They do not have equal opportunities’

In the city center, children have better education opportunities, Ronak Mohammadi added. “However, children living in rural areas, especially the rural areas where Kurds live, do not have equal opportunities. Schools in rural areas do not have libraries, laboratories and educational materials. Many students have to drop out of school because schools are far away from their homes and they do not have transportation.”

‘Poverty is one of the reasons for high dropout rate’

Ronak Mohammadi thinks that poverty is only one of the reasons for dropping out of school in Urmia. “Discrimination also plays a role in the high dropout rate in rural areas. The education system is designed without taking into account the special needs of rural areas. Books written according to the ideology of the government, not according to the cultures and languages of provinces such as Kurdistan and Azerbaijan. This is one of the main challenges that reduce students' motivation and interest in education.”

 ‘School dropout has turned into a serious crisis’

“Discrimination in resources and inadequate attention to educational needs have turned school dropout into a serious crisis. While Tehran and other big cities have advanced educational opportunities and private schools, the rural areas suffer from the lack of schools, unqualified teachers, and poor educational infrastructure. These inequalities cause students in rural areas to face serious difficulties,” Ronak Mohammadi emphasized.”

‘It increases child marriage’

There are private schools with the best facilities in Tehran and Isfahan; however, there is not even "a single school equipped with computers in the villages of Urmia. The high dropout rate in Urmia has social consequences. Girls drop out of school increases the number of child marriage. Many families marry off their daughters due to financial reasons. School dropout also causes child labor, increasing social poverty.”

‘Discrimination must be prevented’

The government should immediately take serious measures and develop programs to cope with the problem of school dropouts in Urmia, Ronak Mohammadi stressed, adding, “The government should allocate more resources to these areas and prevent discrimination in the distribution of resources. It should open well-equipped schools and increase the number of teachers. The government should also develop projects and programs to support families in need so that they can cover their children’s education expenses. Providing financial aid to students, free school meals and improving the education system can help reduce the rate of school dropouts.”

‘Equal opportunities must be created’

Ronak Mohammadi concluded her speech, saying, “This issue cannot be solved by only considering economic problems. The government must also pay attention to cultural and social issues. Equal opportunities must be created for students across the country.”