The new academic year in Iran began Saturday morning with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ringing the bell at a boy’s elementary school in southern Tehran.
Later, President Ahmadinejad addressed students and faculty of Kowsar Boy’s Elementary School on the occasion.
Several cultural and scientific dignitaries, including the Minister of Education attended the ceremony.
Some 15 million students are enrolled in schools all over the country in the current academic year.
Addressing the students, the president said the Education Ministry has a great responsibility of educating pious people.
“The world today is in need of pious people,” he added