Airstrikes over several months have disrupted universities and research across Iran. Officials report damage to dozens of campuses and laboratories, and many places suspended in-person teaching and moved courses online. UNESCO condemned attacks on educational institutions and warned they weaken teaching and research.
An Iranian scientist said the damage is more than broken buildings. Destroyed classrooms, labs, digital systems and equipment disturb students and researchers. Some laboratory courses try to go online, but practical training is limited. Rising costs for reagents and supplies and other economic pressures make experimental work much harder.
Difficult words
- airstrike — an attack from a military aircraftAirstrikes
- disrupt — to stop or interrupt normal activitydisrupted
- condemn — to strongly say that something is wrongcondemned
- laboratory — a building or room for scientific worklaboratories, labs
- research — careful study to learn new information
- reagent — a chemical used for experiments in labsreagents
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How would you feel if your university moved many classes online?
- Why is practical training limited when lab courses go online?
- Name two things the article says were destroyed.
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