Minister of Education Wu Se-hwa (吳思華) yesterday said he is willing to seek leniency for the students who were arrested for breaking into the Ministry of Education building on Thursday last week once they admit that they broke the law.
Wu made the comment in response to reporters’ questions on the ministry’s decision to press charges against the students, who broke into the building during a series of protests against revisions to high-school curriculum guidelines for what critics describe as a “China-centric” focus.
The students have contended that the changes to the guidelines are “China-centric” and that the process of deciding on the revisions was not transparent.
Photo: CNA
On Thursday last week, a group of students climbed the walls of the ministry building and tossed bags of paint into a square inside, the ministry said.
Security guards reported another break-in, but it was not clear at the time who the intruders, including three journalists, were, Wu said.
A total of 33 people were arrested early on Friday after the protest and the ministry later decided to press charges against 24 of the students who were allegedly involved.
However, the decision was met with heavy criticism in some quarters, with some people saying it was infringing upon freedom of speech.
Wu said the incident indicated that the protesters have gone too far, which prompted him to “press charges, albeit unwillingly.”
Defying the security guards’ orders to stop breaking into government property is a criminal offense, Wu said.
Even if the ministry were to drop the charges, the students would not be able to avoid penalties if they were found guilty, he said.
The ministry has already shown great leniency toward the students and is willing to help them obtain clemency if they admit that they broke the law, Wu said.
He said he would also be pleased to schedule an appointment for the students to meet with him formally to discuss the contentious issues.
Wu repeated his call for the public to have respect for law and order and for students to express their opinions through proper legal channels.
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