Students press on toward Yangon

The township is about 100 km from Yangon. 

“We heard that the government mainly discussed legal matters in yesterday’s meeting and they avoided discussing the student protest. If the parliament enacted the 11 points demanded by us, we may stop the march,’’ said student delegate Myat Thu.

The march continued despite the authorities’ threat that legal actions would be taken against the students if they reach Yangon.

The other two columns, originated in Ayeyawady and Monywa-Pakokku-Mawlamyaing-Dawei, are waiting for the parliament decision.

Along the road, the students marched in silence when they passed by schools where exams were taking place. 

"As we promised the government officials, we kept our march quiet when in front of schools so as not to disturb the students taking exams," said Min Min Zaw, a student protestor.

The column was joined by 15 students from the Bago Region Students' Union on February 15. One additional student and two teachers from Pakokku joined on February 16, according to student protester Shein Yazar Tun.

Two students were hospitalised due to illness during the walk to Oakpho on February 15. Both recovered quickly and rejoined the march.

"We have already announced our eight demands. We will march until our demands are guaranteed. We don’t want just a promise. [The government] recently said the parliament would discuss our issues as an urgent proposal today. But we heard today that the parliament didn’t have it on the agenda. The government is intentionally failing to keep the promises it made before. We were promised on February 11 that we would not be arrested or face legal action. [But] on February 13, we were told the authorities would take legal action against us if we enter Yangon Region. This government is so willing to break its promises. We will march on until our demands for a democratic education system are met," said Myat Thu, a representative of the student marchers.

Buddhist monks led by Ashin Kaweda on behalf of the Sitagu Sayadaw Ashin Nyanissara sent a special request to student marchers as they rested in Oakpho on the evening of February 15.

"[In the message], Sitagu Sayadaw requested that the students return to their homes peacefully and sit exams as they may be forced to disperse when they enter Yangon Region. The students still do not have their demands met. [The students’ efforts will only be successful] when the parliament discusses the issue. That's why the students keep on their march," said Sayadaw U Ottama, a marcher from the Saffron Yangon Network. 

The student marchers reached Minhla at around 4:30pm on Tuesday and spent the night at a Buddhist monastery in the town after giving public talks. 

The second round of talks took place last week. It was agreed that the National Network for Education Reform (NNER)’s proposal would be adopted. 

Nan Lin from the students’ Committee for Democracy Education Movement (CDEM) CDEM said: “The NNER and education ministry proposed different bills. The NNER’s bill was based on the 11 points demanded by students. We discussed them seriously and now a bill will be submitted to Parliament.” 

 

Support and opposition

The march has attracted both support and opposition from the general public. On February 15, two groups of people in Yangon took to the streets.

Those opposing the student protest held banners that say, ‘For students to pursue their education peacefully and to be able to pass their exams’ while the supporters were carrying banners reading, ‘We welcome the student boycott in light of democratic education’. 

About 300 supporters joined the protesting students from various universities in Yangon Region and marched from Thamaing Junction in Mayan Township to Myaynigone in Sangyoung Township in the morning. They eventually reached their designation despite warnings from the authorities. 

 “The bill amending the education law has yet to be approved by the parliament and signed by the president. Parliament is said to be democratic. But we cannot get guarantees for sure,” said Nanda Sit Aung from the Democratic Education Movement Leading Committee. 

 “Many say negotiations are underway with students. Why has the protest not stopped? Parliament could not give guarantees yet. We still doubt whether the problem will be solved. There are no instances of having solved other problems of the country. We will take responsibility if we are blamed for our doubts. We will continue our boycott until we are guaranteed democratic education.” 

Win Zaw Htwe, a participant coming from North Dagon Township, said he fully supported the students protest.

Those opposing the protest march walked from Bo Sein Hman sports ground in Bahan Township to Tamwe Township. The number of opponents was reportedly about 1,000. 

One opponent Tun Hla Sein from Bahan Township said: “All have known that the government has accepted the students’ demands for the education sector in principle. What I want to say is that everything should be done in a peaceful manner’’.

“I was asked to come to the ward administrative office at 6 am so I had to get up at about 5 am. We were taken (from the office) at 7.30 am. It is nothing special here but I got tired,” said a 60-year-old man from Botahtaung Township, who joined the crowd opposing the student protest march.