Pioneering basic education students’ union formed in Sittwe

25 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
25 January 2023, Sittwe

The Sittwe Township Basic Education Students’ Union, the first of its kind in Arakan State, has asked for official recognition by authorities.

The students’ union was formed to protect the rights of basic education students and to organise annual sporting events for basic education students.

“The students’ union was formed to protect the rights of basic education students, and we want to be recognised in every school so that we can better realise the objectives of our student union,” said the chairman of the Sittwe Township Basic Education Students’ Union, Ko Phyo Teza Tun. 

The students’ union was formed on July 2 of last year and has been joined by more than 200 students from public high schools as well as private schools.

While some teachers have expressed support for the student union, others have warned the union, said Ko Phyo Teza Tun.

“The responses have been varied,” he told DMG. “In some schools, the teachers support us. But in others, the teachers call the union an illegal organisation, and threaten us. But we won’t be frightened by their threats. I would like to tell my fellow students that we will move forward with solidarity among students.”

A school headmaster from Sittwe who asked for anonymity said he has heard that there have been some tensions between student union members and teachers. 

“They must negotiate. Students tend to have a stubborn streak at their age, and it is important that teachers do not put too much pressure on them,” he said.

It is also important for students not to put too much focus on the affairs of their students’ union at the expense of their learning, said the headmaster.

Members contribute to the coffers of the students’ union, and there are also outside donors, said Ko Phyo Teza Tun.

The Sittwe Township Basic Education Students’ Union was formed under the leadership of the Arakan State Students’ Union.

Chairman Ko Min Ko Aung of the Sittwe University Students’ Union said: “The Arakan State Students’ Union is based on universities, and its operation is limited to the rights of university students. As we can’t take care of basic education students, a basic education students’ union was formed.”

Basic education students in other townships are also planning to form students’ unions in their respective townships.

Speaking to DMG on condition of anonymity, a high school teacher from Sittwe said she is concerned that the union might negatively affect the learning of students.

“I am glad to see their solidarity, but they are still young, and they need control and discipline,” she said. “And I am concerned that they might be overwhelmed by the objectives of the union, such as organising sports events, and thereby lack interest in school lessons. Rather than leading such organisations, they should focus on learning at their age.”

When asked by DMG about the founding of the Basic Education Students’ Union in Sittwe, Arakan State education department chief U Ba Htwe Sein said he had no knowledge about the formation of students’ unions at basic education schools.