The protests were being planned because if the draft was implemented it would create complications in the system, Ko Zayar Lwin, chairman of the Student Union at the Yangon Institute of Economics, told Mizzima on April 29.

Ko Zayar Lwin said a statement in the draft defined the objective of the education system as producing good citizens with correct views based on Myanmar national characteristics.

“I would like to ask what is the meaning of ‘Myanmar national characteristics with correct views’,” said Ko Zayar Lwin. “What are ‘correct views’?“ he said, adding that the authorities wanted a centralisedsystem which did not allow for flexibility.

The draft was also criticised by Dr Soe Win Oo, from the National Network for Education Reform, who said it was aimed at oppressing students.

“NNER is working to amend the draft before it is confirmed,” said Dr Soe Win Oo, adding that the network planned to discuss its concerns with what he called the democracy forces in parliament on May 18.

The president of the University Lecturers’ Association Yangon, Dr Arker Moe Thu, said it would work with the NNER to propose to the authorities that the draft be amended so that it did not contain provisions “that everyone cannot accept”.

The draft was prepared by the Ministry of Education and the PyithuHluttaw’s Education Upgrading Committee.