Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of Islamic Revolution met this morning with thousands of teachers from across the country. Speaking during the meeting, which was held in Tehran on the occasion of Teachers' Day, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the current wave of awakening in West Asia and North Africa is the continuation of the movement started by the Iranian nation. He stressed: "This wave of awakening will definitely continue into the heart of Europe, and European nations will rise up against their politicians and leaders who have totally subjugated them to cultural and economic policies of America and the Zionists."The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that this awakening will definitely take place in Europe and reiterated: "The current awakening shows the depth of the great movement by the Iranian nation, and if we want this movement to continue at this speed and with this strength, we should strengthen our religious faith, awareness, knowledge and unity. We should also help talents flourish and train strong people."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed: "I assure you that the Islamic Republic of Iran will conquer the peaks of prosperity and progress one after the other thanks to the firm determination, strong faith and sincerity of our people."
Elsewhere in his speech, His Eminence said that most important duty of the educational system is to train people who are to the level of the Islamic Republic and the impressive movement of the Iranian nation.
Explaining the importance of teachers, His Eminence said that teachers are the ones who will manage the future of the country and train great mujahids. "Therefore, all our people should appreciate the importance of teachers and respect them."
He added that the media and government officials should play a central role in highlighting the importance of teachers.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the issue of transforming the educational system and explained that the current educational system has been imported from abroad and that it has not been designed for the particular needs and culture of Iran. "Therefore, it is necessary to transform the educational system."
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed: "The necessary requirement for this transformation is to develop an independent and advanced Iranian and Islamic paradigm, and the goal of this paradigm should be to train people to the level of the Islam Republic."
His Eminence reiterated that if the Islamic Republic of Iran wants to hold up the flag of Islam and help other nations, then it should train faithful, honorable, innovative, courageous, patient and talented people who are willing to take risks.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "The requirement for training such people is to act according to Islamic rules and Quranic teachings."
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for specifying the direction of transformation in the educational system and reiterated: "Adopting a compressive outlook and plan and taking the central role of teachers into consideration are the important requirements for carrying out this transformation."
His Eminence stated that investments on transforming the educational system will produce excellent yields, further adding: "Everybody should adopt such a perspective on the educational system."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution reminded the audience of the impressive and exceptional achievement of the Iranian nation under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and reiterated: "Iran needs an educational system which is worthy of the Iranian nation."
Explaining the dimensions of the great movement by the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Khamenei said: "In a situation where powerful elements of the world were using all their power and facilities against Islamic and human values, the Iranian nation was the only nation that stood up to revive these values and continued this path. And now the Iranian nation has made great achievements and advances."