DHAKA: Scores of Myanmar students rallied illegally in Yangon Monday against a new education bill they describe as undemocratic, the latest in a series of protests that began during a visit by US president Barack Obama.

Young activists, some holding banners reading ‘We need Academic Freedom’ and ‘Fight for Democratic Education’, staged a peaceful march across the city centre to call for the education system to be reformed.

The protest was held without official permission, an arrestable offence in the former junta-run nation.

‘Education is very important to our country’s future. Schools need to be democratic if we are to become a democratic country,’ said Phyo Phyo Aung, secretary of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, reports The Straits Times.

She said the group had not applied for official permission to protest.

BDST: 1934 HRS, NOV 17, 2014