The Origins of Modern Childhood Education in Iran regarding the Role of France
Subject Areas :Behnoush Karimi 1 , Saeed Azadmanesh 2
1 -
2 - Allameh Tabataba'i University
Keywords: childhood, modern education, Qajar Iran, France, tradition and modernity,
Abstract :
Studying the historical background of contemporary education in Iran indicates that the origins of modern childhood education can be traced to the Qajar period. From the late Qajar era onward, calls for a new model of education grew stronger, and Iran’s modern educational system gradually took shape under the influence of multiple factors. Accordingly, the present study seeks to clarify the origins of childhood education by examining the factors that contributed to the emergence of modern education, with particular emphasis on the role of France. Using a qualitative approach and a research synthesis method, the study analyzes and integrates the research findings in this field. Following a systematic search of accessible studies in academic databases, 39 relevant studies were selected for inclusion. The analysis identified the main factors facilitating the development of modern education and organized them into two categories: France-related factors and factors unrelated to France. France-related factors including “Iranian travelers’ and merchants’ familiarity with French educational institutions”, “sending students to France”, “the translation and authorship of educational texts inspired by French models”, “the influence of the press”, “the establishment of schools by missionaries”, and “the employment of French teachers”. Non-France-related factors including “Iran’s defeat by Russia”, “the educational shortcomings of traditional schools (maktabkhāneh)”, “the efforts of Iranian intellectuals”, “the Constitutional Revolution”, and “the supportive role of clerics and mosques.”
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