Arakan University student Parents lodge complaint to PM Thein Sein

by Phanida

Friday, 12 September 2008 13:41

Chiang Mai – Parents of Arakan State University students have sent a complaint letter to the Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein on September 7 requested him to intervene in the meddling of educational affairs in colleges and universities in Arakan State by men in uniform. Military officer's in-charge of student's discipline debarred 13 students on grounds of low attendance (below 75 per cent). Again 60 students from the Technical University were denied admission to their classes because they were late. The parents of these students sent a letter of complaint letter to the PM. A local grocery shop owner from Sittwe said, "Yes, I heard about this. The students could not attend their classes. Some are debarred from their studies on account of low attendance. Yes, they did submit a petition". The letter was sent to the PM Thein Sein and copies were sent to Student Affairs Department of Universities and Colleges, Youth and Student Affairs Departments at home and abroad, news agencies at home and abroad, 'All Burma Federation of Students Union', and Student Unions. The letter said "the authorities are disturbing peaceful pursuance of study by demoting and transferring Sittwe Computer College Principal Daw Soe Hay Mar to Taungoo Computer University with the position of Assistant Lecturer without giving any reason, denying 13 students from sitting for their examinations and rusticating 60 students from the Technical University". A woman student close to the student who was debarred for low attendance said, "I know a person from 'Government Technical College' (GTC) who was debarred from school for low attendance. This student went back to his home town after being expelled". It is learnt that every university and college student strongly resentment the men in uniform who take disciplinary action against the students. The military officers are systematically flexing their muscle by expelling especially self-reliant students, from their schools. Most of the students hail from Sittwe, Tungup, Sandoway, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Mrauk-Oo, Kyauktaw, Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships and are pursuing their studies in Sittwe, a local resident from Sittwe said. < Prev   Next >