Moral Conflicts in Iranian Secondary Schools

ABSTRACT This article examines moral conflicts identified by students (N = 302) and teachers (N = 20) in the context of Iranian schools. The data were gathered in 2016 fromtwo lower secondary schools in Tehran, one for girls and one for boys. The content analysis of students’ essays and teachers’ interviews reveal that moral conflicts in Iranian secondary schools have four main themes: 1. Matters related to Staff’s behaviour, 2. Matters related to Students’ behaviour, 3. Sensitive issues, and 4. Matters related to Parents’ behaviour. In addition to discussing the main categories and subcategories, the article discusses differences between teachers and students. This paper presents a picture of morality in Iranian secondary schools by clarifying situations in which both the school staff and the students need perspective on one another as well as needing to be morally sensitive. This article can guide educators in delivering moral education both in teaching and in teacher education.