Students proceed with protest march
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The student protest march against the contentious National Education Law continued on Monday morning from Yenangyaung to Magway.
Local supporters, including students and teachers from Yenangyaung Technology University and Yenangyaung Degree College, joined the procession until the entrance to Magway Region.
When the march reached Magway, local administrator for Magway Township Saw Htun Oo told the student leaders that the march was in violation of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Act.
In Yenangyaung, students paid homage to a statue of General Aung San and held a minute of silence in commemoration of fallen martyrs. After that, the protesters entered Yenangyaung Technology University with officials’ consent to distribute leaflets on the National Education Law. The student leaders then gave lectures about the flaws in the education law.
Next, the march moved to Yenangyaung College student leader Kyaw Ko Ko gave a lecture on the controversial education law.
Dr Aye Aye Thant, the lecturer at Yenangyaung College and executive member of University Teachers Association Myanmar said: “I accompanied the students as I felt worried for them. Teachers love students like their very own children. I feared conflict would break out since there is a police station on their way.”
Dr Aye Aye Thant said the University Teachers Association had complained about the education law since the drafting stage but failed to prevent its passage.
“Students have every right to demand their needs in a democratic way. They shouldn’t be barred,” said Dr Aye Aye Thant to The Daily Eleven.
The students plan to continue marching to Yangon following the demonstration in Magway today.
On Sunday, the march was halted as students started negotiations with the authorities over the amendments to the law. As of Sunday, there was no conclusion yet.
