“Dr. Siassi, you are this government’s Minister of Education.” I replied: “Excuse me?” Hakim al-Molk, who was seated to the right of Ghavam al-Saltaneh, motioned for me to be silent and then Ghavam-alSaltaneh continued: “If you have anything to say tell it to Hakim al-Molk.” He said this then continued with the government’s plans. At the end of the meeting, Ghavam got up by nodding his head to say goodbye to all who were present and left. That was how I took my first steps in politics.

From the very beginning, after becoming familiar with the Ministry of Education’s departments its chairmen and getting familiar with the job, for implementing my longtime wishes – the independence of University, and the free and mandatory public education – I started planning.

Dr. Ali Akbar Siassi, Memoirs

The Independence

of

University

The independence of the university as it will be explained, was met with severe resistance from education ministers who succeeded me as well as the governments and groups of congress representatives who, as opposed to the past, couldn’t have the slightest influence on the university. But this independence was founded on such a strong basis that it lasted over twelve years and stood up to and resisted all the attacks by its opponents

This great educational institution from the day it was founded (Bahman, Solar year1313 (1934)) until I became the Minister of Education in1321(1942), was just one of the departments of the Ministry of Education. Its colleges like high schools and elementary schools were run by different segments of the Ministry. The chairmen and professors were selected or dismissed by the Minister of Education as were those of the high schools and elementary schools. The University Council was a misnomer since its members were appointed by the Minister. All the decisions were made by the Minister who then summoned the University Counsel to his office where they would hear his decisions on different matters and would acclaim and approve.

When I saw the Shah, I shared my opinion regarding independence of University as well as other related issues. I found him extremely interested in all my suggestions. It was the first year of his reign, and he was only 23 years old. He saw someone in front of him with more experience and knowledge than himself, but similarly young and passionate to serve his country. From our very first meeting, there was a special connection and mutual affection between us. He always warmly welcomed me and sat next to me and converse not only about cultural matters but other issues regarding the country that he did not have the necessary experience he would ask my advice.

This relationship continued the first three to four years of his reign. But his constant contact with courtiers and flatterers could not have been without influence on his character, behavior, and conduct. They made problems seem bigger than they were, and they made him especially fearful of the Communist party’s activities. Therefore, our one on one sessions, which were sincere and intimate, held usually twice a month were becoming less open and less frequent. I will discuss more about this later. Now I will return to the subject of the independence of the university

After getting the Shah’s approval for the University’s independence, I took the matter up at the Cabinet. The Cabinet met at the White Palace; the ministers were seated around a large rectangular table. Ghavam al-Saltaneh was at the head of the table and his consultant ministers, Hakim al-Molk (Ibrahim Hakimi) and Mostashar-alDowleh (Sadegh), sat on each side. One of my humorous co-ministers, called these two ministers “the two testicles” of Ghavam. The Cabinet after my lengthy explanation officially accepted my recommendation and granted official independence to the University.

A short time later on the 15th of Bahman 1321(1942) on the occasion of the annual celebration of the establishment of the University, a great celebration in the presence of the Shah and Queen Foziyeh was held at the grand hall in the College of Law (the College of Literature and the grand hall of Ferdowsi were still in construction.) The hall was packed with people.

In one section of the hall were Professors dressed in official attire and in another section were ministers, representatives of the National Assembly and other high-ranking officials. Ghavam al-Saltaneh after asking permission from the Shah got up and read out the statement that I had previously prepared with Shah’s permission.

“With approval from the Shah and in the spirit of the Constitution, this great educational institution from today will be separated from the Ministry of Education and from now on will have its independence in all of its administrative, and educational affairs and will directly govern itself.”

The first action University Council, which was legally established consisting of all the heads of colleges plus one elected professor from each college, took was to elect the President of the University from amongst the selected college presidents. This took place in my absence. When they informed me that the Council chose me as the University President, I stopped what I was doing and went to the Council to tell my University colleagues: “I’m thankful for your good intentions.

Of course, this would be an honor for me to be the University’s first lawful President. But since I have a few other important tasks at the Ministry of Education that I must complete I cannot leave my governmental position. Therefore, please select someone else amongst yourselves. As I have some important unfinished business to take care of, I will cast my vote now for. Dr. Amir Allam. I’ll try to arrive before the end of your meeting to plan a few other things.”

By becoming part of Ghavam’s cabinet I was given the opportunity to make another of my dreams come true. When I returned to Iran from Europe during World War I, I realized that the main reason for Iran’s backwardness was the illiteracy of most of its population. This was the reason that I - along with several other European educated young people, founded the “Iran Javan Association” as was noted elsewhere –“Compulsory Free Public Education” was one of its main mottos and I tried as much as I could to will it into existence whether in my speeches or writing articles in magazines… and when I was given the authority to act I made it a top priority.

in 1321(1942) I immediately began preparing a “Bill for Free Compulsory Elementary Public Education.” Before taking the Bill to be passed by the Cabinet, I presented it to the Shah. The young Shah with less than a year’s experience in his reign and his heart still not corrupted by the biased, self-interested, flatterers was pure and clean, he showed a great deal of passion especially when I told him: “Today you are reigning over a country that is 80% illiterate, but after passing this law meaning in 10-15 years you will have literate, open-minded, nationalistic citizens.” He excitedly congratulated me and insisted that I get the Bill approved by the Cabinet as soon as possible and to the Parliament.

The King who at that time was very straightforward and did not hide anything from me replied: “They tell me passing this Bill is not in our best interest, for it will cause trouble in the long run.” Perplexed I asked for the reason. He said: “When the peasant’s children become literate, they will read the propaganda material of the communists and they will become communists and invite others to join their party.” Here it is important to explain that at the time the vast majority of the congressmen were either landowners, or rich landlords or employees of great landlords and that’s why they feared the passing of this law would be dangerous for them and their heirs.

“Education is not meant for a person just to be able to read and write but to be able to think. A person who studies Geography, will know more about where he lives and where his ancestors have lived., his country’s resources, and neighboring countries/History teaches him the great services that great kings like Cyrus the Great have provided to Iran or great scientists like Avicenna, Birooni, Tousi and great poets like Ferdowsi, Sa’adi, Hafez, Mowlavi (Rumi) have offered This gives him pride and affection for our great country.

How can a Persian who hears this poem of Hakim Ferdowsi Not be moved by nationalist pride When we hear these words how can we not be touched by patriotic fervor?

“From drinking camel’s milk and eating lizards Arabs have reached such ambition”

“To aspire the crown of Persian kings, Spit on you oh’ destiny, spit on you!”