Arakan Students Union calls for boycotting classrooms

By QRT 11 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
11 December 2023, Sittwe

The Arakan Students Union released a statement on Monday in opposition to Myanmar’s education system under military rule.

The union said it does not want what it calls an “education system implemented by fascists and designed to enslave people.”

It said it supports a boycott of classrooms at the basic education, university and comparable levels, to include any other educational institutions that are overseen by the junta-run Ministry of Education.

Those who forcibly open the schools and pressure students and their parents will suffer consequences, said the statement.

It added that the regime had sent secret messages to respective educational institutions under the control of the junta’s Education Ministry in Arakan State to persuade students to go to schools and universities to create an impression that Arakanese people support the regime, and to distract public attention from war crimes being committed by the regime. DMG could not independently verify its claim.

The union specifically alleged that the basic education schools and higher-level institutions under the junta’s control in Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Taungup and other Arakan State townships are either persuading or pressuring students into attending school.

The regime has imposed travel restrictions, and has been abducting students and civilians for ransom, said the statement.

The regime has arrested dozens of civilians in Arakan State over their alleged ties to the Arakan Army since renewed fighting broke out in November, and has demanded ransom for the release of some detainees. There have been accusations that some of those who could not afford to pay were tortured during interrogations and threatened with jail sentences.

The regime has detained at least 70 civilians, and prosecuted at least 16 of them since the resumption of hostilities in Arakan State on November 13. According to a DMG tally, 26 civilians had been killed and 110 others were wounded by the regime in Arakan State as of December 10.