Why Do Students of Burma Need Your Help
"Any existence deprived of freedom is a kind of death."
(General Michel Aoun)
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Students have no freedom of speech and expression like other oppressed people of Burma.
There is also no room for criticism of the brutal regime.
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SPDC is closing universities as a mean of silencing the voice of youth and preventing any ac-
tivities calling for a democratic change.
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The junta's main objective has been to maintain its power no matter what the consequences
are. Youth and Education of Burma are not viewed as crucial to the country but instead as a
potential threat. The SPDC's lack of concern can be demonstrated in the way they allot their
National Budget. 41.1% of the 1999 budget has been dispersed towards Ministry of Defense
while a mere 7.7% is dedicated towards the Ministry of Education. The substantial amount of
funds towards the fuelling of Burma's arm forces is ludicrous for a country with no external
threats.
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Even out of the trivial 7.7%, majority of the funds is dedicated towards construction of new
facilities and renovating buildings rather than supporting teachers and providing proper school
equipment. The military's motive for the construction have mainly been a political one, for it
was effort to break up student solidarity by keeping students geographically dispersed
throughout the country. Schools are never adequate to the needs of the students and are
poorly equipped. There are never enough textbooks for the students let alone laboratory
equipment and reference materials.
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Lack of education results in lack of knowledge. The regime has purposely not promoted edu-
cation in order to put people in the darkness deprived of knowledge. The SPDC has imple-
mented changes to the curriculum several times. After the 1988 uprisings, the SPDC shorten
the one year school term to a mere four months in order to graduate as many delayed stu-
dents as possible. Shortening the academic terms and curriculums seriously compromise the
standards of education.
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The military regime has admitted themselves as to the poor state of the Burmese Education
system. In order for them to produce well-qualified and loyal personnel, the SPDC opened
several military institutes. The current students of Burma have only two choices; its either
they join the army and receive education or remain idle while the schools remain closed. The
military institutes have been prioritized and are well equipped. These schools have remained
open even though the general universities have remained closed.
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There are several factors leading to the deterioration of the Burmese Education system. Most
importantly is due to political instability and civil war. More than 70% of the population re-
sides in the rural areas of Burma where access to education is extremely difficult. Students
are living in fear and schools are frequently burned down as part of the SPDC counter insur-
gencies campaign. Forced labor conscription and force relocation against the ethnic people is
commonly practiced in these rural areas.
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Campaign Committee for Open School - Statement 1/2000
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