Universities expel students over budget protest

Yadanabon University in Mandalay has expelled 14 of its students over their role in a campus protest for a bigger education budget, the first student rally since the Aung San Suu Kyi civilian administration took power in 2016, reports Study International.

The expulsion followed their brief detainment by the police for organising a four-day rally at Yadanabon University, which drew a crowd of about 100 students, including those from nearby Meiktila, Sagaing, Monywa, Kyaukse, Mohnyin and Pathein. Led by Yadanabon students, the protest had called upon the government to increase the national education budget and improve campus facilities as well as educational materials, before it was broken up by the police on 25 January.

The Irrawaddy reported that students from other universities have been dismissed by their respective institutions as well. Up to 36 students could have been affected, according to the Myanmar Teachers’ Federation.
Full report on the Study International site