Speaking at a meeting of elite teachers from across the country, Khatami referred to the role of education and teachers in the society and lauded the recent steps taken to improve the teachers' welfare and financial conditions.

He reiterated the need to use the international experience in finding ways to encourage people's help in funding education while at the same time abiding by the law on free education.

Khatami also called for drawing up strategic plans to further promote and improve education.

"Increasing the related budget is the easiest way to solve the problems facing teachers and those in the education sector though experience shows that this has proved unsuccessful in improving their living conditions and status.

"Teachers should live honorable lives suiting their social status without any concerns to be able to educate the future generation of the country properly," he added.

He further noted that if the revision of tax laws are expedited, the Ministry of Education and many other sectors will be significantly developed.

Khatami recalled Iran's success to attract foreign investment and that the government can use the resources of the Oil Surplus Fund for development purposes, and hoped that the current problems inflicting teachers are solved in the future.

"Meanwhile, the government is attempting to reduce the difficulties facing the vulnerable social classes in line with its potentials," he concluded.

The meeting was attended by 172 elite teachers from across the nation, who discussed their problems with the president on behalf of their colleagues.