[80792] Wave of student protests in Iran against matriculation reforms and the impact of the final grade on university admissions

Large-scale student protests in Iran against entrance exam policy changes

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, widespread protests by high school students took place in front of the Ministry of Education in Tehran and the city of Hamadan, in protest against government decisions regarding the university admissions system. The protesters are protesting against the absolute impact of the final grade in matriculation exams on the final admission score, and are demanding revisions to existing procedures.

According to the Telegram channel یِ دانش آموز, the number of participants in the protests is growing. The protesters chanted slogans such as "Student, shout, shout for your rights." The Telegram channel made an unusual claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was allegedly present at the scene to support the protesters if their demands were not met, a claim that is not supported by evidence and is identified with channels having a radical opposition leaning.

In a report by شب‌نامه, which is characterized by a critical stance toward the Iranian regime, it was noted that students expressed their opposition to changes in the curriculum and the "grade improvement" policy. The source emphasizes that these changes directly affect the academic future of thousands of teenagers.

At the same time, the Iranian news agency ایسنا reported that the protesters include 11th-grade students and applicants for entrance exams, who are seeking to make the grade's impact cumulative rather than decisive only. The Iranian Ministry of Education clarified in response that the body responsible for the controversial policy is the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, and not the ministry itself.