Shokatieh School

Shokatieh School, also known as Shokati School, is a historic educational building in the city of Birjand in South Khorasan Province. It is regarded as the first Iranian school in the modern style, established after the traditional maktab-khaneh schools. The building dates from the Qajar era and stands on Shahid Montazeri Street, in Old Post Alley (Kucheh-ye Post-e Qadim). Shokatieh School was added to Iran's National Heritage List on 16 Esfand 1356 under registration number 1371, and it holds great importance in the history of education in the country. Construction began and was completed between 1308 and 1312 AH (lunar Hijri). It was first built as a hosseiniyeh, then in 1326 AH it was converted into a school through the efforts of Mohammad Ebrahim Khan Alam (Shokat al-Molk II). The aim of its founding was to introduce modern education, inspired by institutions such as Dar ul-Funun in Tehran.

The architecture of Shokatieh School follows the "four-season" style of Iran's desert houses. A brick-paved central courtyard with a pool in the middle, rooms (hojreh) all around it, a magnificent iwan, corridors, entrance vestibules, stonework and plaster muqarnas all reflect a deep fusion of educational function and beautiful design. The school has two entrances, one on the south side and the other on the west side of the building. After Dar ul-Funun in Tehran, the Roshdieh primary school in Tabriz and the Mohtashamieh school in Kermanshah, Shokatieh is considered the fourth modern school in Iran, and it paved the way for the founding of Shokatieh High School and other modern schools in South Khorasan. By making use of the space of the former hosseiniyeh and adding an educational building, the school played an important role in developing education and culture in the region. During the Constitutional Revolution, Amir Esmail Khan Shokat al-Molk endowed one third of his property to charitable causes and entrusted its administration to his brother Mohammad Ebrahim Khan. Shokat al-Molk II, influenced by Amir Kabir's founding of Dar ul-Funun, sought to create a similar school in Birjand. He established Shokatieh School on the site of the hosseiniyeh built by his brother, and today it is recognised as one of the most important historical and educational monuments of the province.

To visit Shokatieh School, head from inside Birjand towards Shahid Montazeri Street (Old Post Alley). The road is paved, and signposts will guide you to the school. The best time to visit is spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and conditions are ideal for a relaxed stroll and a close look at the architectural details. While visiting, please practise responsible tourism: do not damage the walls or decorations, do not write graffiti, and do not remove or destroy any part of the building, so that this valuable heritage is preserved for future generations.