Upper house debates controversial education law

25 March 2015
Upper house debates controversial education law
Amyotha Hluttaw, the upper house of the Myanmar parliament. Photo: Mizzima

Myanmar’s upper house of parliament began discussions on March 24 on amendments to the controversial education law, according to Radio Free Asia on March 24.
The debate began as the authorities released 20 people arrested earlier this month during a brutal police crackdown on students and others protesting against the current legislation.
The authorities released from Thayarwaddy prison 19 residents of the town of Letpadan and one from Minhla, who were apprehended on March 10 during a brutal police crackdown on students, monks and residents as they protested against the legislation.
Eight lawmakers in the upper house want to include specific changes to the current education law such as the teaching of English in elementary school and instruction in agriculture, animal husbandry and ethnic languages. 
Last week the upper house parliamentary committee concluded a review of the legislation.