Iran�s Parliament (Majlis) has started the impeachment of Education Minister Ali-Asghar Fani.

Fani appeared on Parliament floor�on Wednesday to respond to lawmakers� questions.

The open session is attended by 204 legislators�and chaired by the Parliament's First Vice Speaker, Mohammad-Hassan Aboutorabi-Fard.

The impeachment proceeding�against Fani was�approved with 64 signatures last week.

A number of lawmakers later�withdrew�their signatures from the impeachment motion, but the MPs�decided to go ahead with the procedure as the number of the remaining signatures did not drop�below ten, which is the minimum number of votes required for impeachment.

Fani is accused of failing to urge�the administration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to provide schools with necessary resources and to expand educational space in�deprived areas.

He is also under fire�for failing to adopt practical measures to enrich and promote the efficiency and quality of educational programs.

Under the Iranian Constitution, lawmakers can impeach a�minister when they deem it necessary. An impeachment motion can be submitted when it has at least ten signatures.

The minister must appear on parliament floor�within ten days after the submission of the impeachment motion to answer the questions raised by legislators, give explanation on his performance and seek a vote of confidence.

The Iranian president can also attend the session to defend his minister.

By Press TV