The Ministry of Education held a press conference yesterday morning in Nay Pyi Taw about protest camp opened by Mandalay University Students Union since 2 September.

At the press conference, Deputy Minister for Education U Win Maw Tun explained about the ministry’s action on the protest.

The protest was staged as a food court was under construction, which was intended for the attendees to the events of research paper reading and international conferences at Mandalay University.

The Mandalay University Students Union lodged a verbal complaint to the Union Minister at the welcoming conference for the New Generation Outstanding Students Club (Central) held at Mandalay University on 2 August 2019, insisting there were no transparency, rules and procedures in permission of this food court.

As a result, the Ministry of Education formed an investigation body on 6 August, chaired by Mandalay Technological University Rector Dr Sint Soe, University of East Yangon Rector Dr Kyaw Kyaw Khaung, Bago University Rector Dr Aye Aye Tun, Deputy Director-General of Education Ministry Daw Mar Mar Cho.

However, the students organized the protest camp on 2 September. The members of investigation body met with seven protest students at Mandalay University at 9:20 pm on 4th September to discuss the five salient points presented by the students.

The protest students were informed about formation and works of the investigation team, and the formation of an inter-departmental investigation body led by Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun and comprised of Director-General of Department of Myanmar Examinations U Myo Nyunt, and Rector of Mawlamyine University Dr Aung Myat Kyaw Sein as members on 5 September to investigate the complaint about the allegation of inappropriate permission for construction of food court. Mandalay University Rector Dr Thida Win was accused of breaching the directive of the President as she allegedly gave permit for the construction of food court to a businessperson close to her.

After the explanation, the Deputy Minister and officials answered the questions of media persons.

The press conference was also attended by the Directors-General of the Ministry of Education, officials and the invited media organizations.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)