Ordinary and Advanced Level subjects to be reformed

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that educational reforms for the G.C.E Ordinary and Advanced Level exams were currently being prepared. The theme for the refor ms is ‘ Holistic Development of Child beyond 2020’.

Among the changes, an introduction of a point system for the O/Level exam is under consideration.

Minister Kariyawasam said that the reforms will be put forward to the public for their view, before being approved and implemented.

An expert group has been appointed with the National Institute of Education ( NIE) playing a major role.

One of the main reasons that authorities felt reforms were necessary for the O/Level exam was that currently every student is required to sit for nine subjects at the exam; and though these subjects have different weights in terms of learning, a majority of the students find it difficult to bear the total workload.

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Authorities point out that students in other countries have around five or six subjects. Therefore they are considering having one to six core subjects. Among the proposals are that Religion, which is currently taught for two periods per week, will be broadened to a subject called ‘Religion and Value Education’ and taught five periods a week.

Based on another recommendation, History, currently taught for three periods per week will be replaced by ‘History and Social Studies’ and taught five periods a week.

The authorities will also look at eliminating some subjects in the A/Level exam as these are no longer followed by students. Currently the A/Level exam offers 59 subjects.