An official at the education department of Semnan Province says more than 5000 foreign students, mostly Afghans, are studying in schools in the central province. Ghaffar Mohammadi told ISNA that most of the foreign students are residing in the western towns of Garmsar, Sorkhe and Mahdishahr.
He said while previously it was necessary for the students to have a residence permit, now they will be accepted in schools even if their parents have residency, following an agreement signed between the ministries of education, interior and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
