The Role of Bahman Beigi in Educating the Tribes' Children in Pahlavi Era

Yassin, Hatem

doi:10.21608/qarts.2025.373031.2198

The Role of Bahman Beigi in Educating the Tribes' Children in Pahlavi Era

Document Type : Original Article

Author

hatem yassin

faculty of art - Assut university -

10.21608/qarts.2025.373031.2198

Abstract

The emergence of schools among Iranian tribes and the development of the education system among nomadic communities in Iran can be divided into four phases: informal education, scattered educational efforts by rulers, the groundwork for establishing state-run tribal schools, and the pursuit of a comprehensive educational system.
There were no modern state-run schools among the nomadic tribes, as the establishment of the "Nomadic Education House" only began during this period. Before that, education was conducted in a traditional manner, where wealthy families hired teachers known as mullas or mirzas to educate their children, bearing the full cost of their education.
The Pahlavi government's policy focused on consolidating central authority. However, this policy faced major challenges, including the weakening of central power after Reza Shah's removal, a lack of public funding that hindered project implementation, and the absence of a unified policy towards the tribal society.
In 1945 (1324 SH), Mohammad Bahmanbeigi introduced his idea of mobile education for nomads in his book "Customs and Traditions of the Nomads."
With the continued implementation of this project, the nomadic education system expanded across the country both in quantity and quality, marking one of the most prosperous periods for nomadic education.
Mohammad Bahmanbeigi was the most influential figure in this phase and is regarded as the "Father of Nomadic Education." He faced numerous challenges and obstacles, which he constantly strived to overcome.

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