Educational inequalities in Iran based on the viewpoints of educational experts and qualified high school teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to identify the causes and effective factors which play a role in creating and strengthening educational inequality in Iran’s educational system. This research has been done according to a qualitative paradigm using the grounded theory method. The data was collected using the in-depth interview method from 20 individuals in a focus group. The participants were selected by means of the purposive sampling method according to the principle of maximum variation sampling and considering the saturation point. The interpretive-absorptive approach was used for data analysis. The results of the qualitative analysis showed that, on the one hand, educational inequality in the Iranian education system is influenced by the social and economic inequalities existing in society, and on the other hand, that the country’s education system and the structure governing it have been a factor in strengthening and expanding inequality. According to the findings of the research, it can be said with confidence that in the current structure of education, the main framework of the country’s educational system, including the principles, goals, content, method, educators, and learners, each in a specific way play a specific role in educational inequality and injustice in society.