Critical Analysis of the Discourse on the Privatization of Education in Iran’s Post-Islamic Revolution: A Case Study of the Reformist and Principled Discourses

Privatizing education has recently been a highly debated topic among policymakers. Privatization of education aims to reduce the burden on government budgets and create a competitive market, focusing on improving the efficiency of resource utilization in teaching and learning. This research aims to critically analyze the discourse surrounding the privatization of education in Iran after the Islamic Revolution, specifically examining the perspectives of both the principled and reformist governments.

The present study adopts a qualitative approach using Foucauldian critical discourse analysis to describe, interpret, and elucidate the nature and discursive elements of education during these historical periods.

Results indicate that the reformist discourse strongly emphasizes public participation in education, consideration of local conditions, and attention to minority groups in education. On the other hand, the principled discourse places greater importance on supporting non-governmental schools addressing local and regional needs, promoting participation, decentralization, and educational councils. These components are less prevalent in rival discourses. Each discourse rejects the previous discourse and accentuates and centralizes its own views and policies, thus strengthening and affirming its own identity.

Post-revolution discourses have not sufficiently addressed all the dimensions and indicators of education privatization in a balanced manner. In most cases, the examined documents adhere to a singlediscourse model and lack interest in incorporating elements from rival discourses.