MPs applaud student activists
Some MPs congratulated students and the public in participating in a revamp of the National Education Law, even as dozens remain in jail charged in relation to protests against the statute.
"It is very uplifting to see that students and the public are actively interested in upgrading the education system of our nation," said Major Aung Kyaw Zar of Tatmadaw, one six individuals taking part in the discussion on the new education bill last week.
Citing deficiency in educational system slows down the development, he said every country is striving to upgrade the human resources. He also supported the allocation of more budget to education.
The participants represented the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), Union Solidarity and Development Party, National Democratic Force (NDF) and Aarankan National Party (ANP). One attendee was an independent MP.
NDF MP Phone Myint Aung noted that it was student groups, not politicians, that suggested changes be made to the law enacted September 30, 2014.
"The students’ cause in the past had been the downfall of the government, but now they are talking about getting involved in guiding the educational system and the budget."
He added that students have played a key role in modern Myanmar history, noting that "in our nation’s history, the student unions fought for independence earlier than the armed forces did."
On Wednesday and Thursday, students and some of their supporters appeared in Letpadan Township Court. Following the crackdown on March 10, 127 were arrested. Sixty nine faced charges for causing riots, while 11 were released from Thayawaddy jail on bail.
While discussion of the new bill is under way, the Upper House on Thursday approved the proposals to allow Myanmar students to form unions for the first time in decades. Thursday's vote in the Upper House will be followed by further votes in the lower and combined houses.
An AFP report noted that the revised bill looks set to fall short of other key demands from education activists.
"I believe about three quarters of the students' demands have been met through compromise," Myat Nyanna Soe, secretary of the upper house bill committee, told journalists at the parliament Thursday.
He added that he was "truly sorry" about the arrests of protesters in recent weeks and stressed that the government, not parliament, was behind the action.
