Education law amendment not as soon as expected

 

"It needs step-by-step hearings as this law is quite different from the normal laws," said MP Khin Maung Yi, chairperson of the bill committee. "It is crucial that this should be a perfect law as this relates to national affairs. So it needs to take some time.

"Bills such as the budget bill, the taxation bill, the national planning bill are at the top of the agenda at the 12th regular parliamentary session. And the amendment of the constitution is also high on the agenda. The bill committee is making all-out efforts to approve (the education amendment) as soon as possible in the teeth of other important cases. We will finalise it in the 12th regular parliamentary session."

Hundreds of students from across the country have been staging protests against the National Education Law for more than a month, but authorities have warned them under threat of arrest against marching into Yangon.

During talks earlier this month involving the protesters, their support organisations and parliamentarians, the students provided an 11-point demand on how the law should be amended.

"This (process) may meet the 11-point demand made by students,” Khin Maung Yi said. "There may (also) be suggestions and views from 600 MPs on this law. This law is so crucial. We should pay more attention to it."

MP Myat Nyana Soe, secretary of the bill committee, reassured students that their demands will be submitted to Parliament as part of broad national discussion on the issue.

"Hearings on this law will start as of March 5 in Parliament," he said. "Media will have access to these hearings. It will be held in a free and transparent manner. I think there will be a live broadcast of discussions." 

The national education bill is not included in the list of bills that have to be submitted directly to the Union Parliament, so it must be forwarded to the Upper House and the Lower House step-by-step, he explained. The final step will be the Union Parliament approving it, he said, adding that every effort is being made to pass the bill as quickly as possible. 

"We have already received many suggestion letters from organisations, experts and individuals," Myat Nyana Soe said. "And we are planning to invite all of those who sent the letters (to attend discussions). Parliament is not buying time. Amendments to the law should be made with special care."

According to state media, hearings on the bill will be held March 5-15. The Upper House of Parliament has informed the Action Committee for Democratic Education, political parties, the National Network for Education Reform, activists, registered civil societies and those who sent letters regarding the bill to contact the office of the Upper House to reserve space in the hearings for up to 20 members of each group, state media reported.

 

Social media attack 

This week, 15 student leaders spearheading the protest march witnessed social media attacks.  A Facebook account under the name of Kokyaw Thantzin has asked one of the students where he got the money to buy the vehicle Alphard. Or did you buy it with your father’s money? Or did you buy that car after selling the land plot of yours? But, I know that the land in North Okkalapa isn’t owned by your father yet.

These personal attacks were posted on February 23 and 24 with about 20 accounts tagged together with 500 “likes” and “share.”

“I have nothing to explain as the news is fabricated. Those who are against amending of the National Education Reform law intentionally did this. This is a very low standard in politics,” said Zeya Lwin.

“Some criticised us in principle. If that so, we could explain them matter of fact. But for the personal attacks, which used bad languages, we don’t need to explain. For me, I don’t care that kind of attack. But if the attack is aimed at hindering the amendment of the future education reform law, I strongly object to it,” said Phyo Phyo Aung, a student leader.