Rakhine students join protest against National Education Law

They plan to continue the protest if the discussion does not yield satisfactory results.

The protest, starting at 9am, ended at about 3pm.

They echoed the four-points demand that students across the country have been demanding since the movement against the law renewed on January 20. They ask the authorities to establish an education system that treats all students equally; to have ethnic minority languages included in school curricula; to extend compulsory free education to the middle school level; and to allow student unions.

As students and villagers march from Mandalay to Yangon, which are 570km in distance, the authorities agreed last week for a talk.

“We believe the national education law enacted by the government will lead to centralisation of the education system. Moreover, the law also curbs the freedom of students. We hope to educate the public about the law,” said Myo Min Tun, vice chairman of the Rakhine State Student Union.

Some critics have pointed out that the education system in Rakhine State has deteriorated and that exam results in the state remain below the national average.

Thousands of high school students and residents of Kyautpadaung Township also showed supports to the student march, as it reached the town on Thursday. The students was briefly stopped by police last week, but the barriers were lifted on growing public resentment. 

 “Most students want to carry on the march to Yangon thanks to public support,” said Thant Zin, a protester. 

Student leader Min Thwe Thit said “The authorities, including the Minister Aung Min, have threatened to use Section 144 against the protesters. But the march will continue.”

Members of Free Funeral Service Society also joined the protest.