Leaked A/L Agri paper triggers retake, students anguished
More than 20,000 students have been forced to sit the G.C.E. Advanced Level Agricultural Science Paper for the second time on February 1, after the Examination Department cancelled Papers I and II due to social media leaks.
As this move puts students in despair and adds to their anxiety, frustration, and uncertainty, Examinations Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara blamed the negligence of the relevant examination supervisor for the leak.
He said supervisors were required to follow the examination hall protocol before accepting question papers. They were aware of the rules, and it appeared that their sheer carelessness had led to the paper leak, he said.
It is alleged that Paper I ended up in a candidate's hand before the examination began. This resulted in the cancellation of both Papers I and II.
Praising the commitment of the academics who prepared the paper, Mr. Jayasundara said the academics, setting aside their regular duties, were working on a new paper for the Agricultural Science subject.
Moreover, rescheduling the exam means the department would incur additional costs for transportation and other functions. The department will take legal action against those who were responsible for this leak, Mr. Jayasundara firmly said.
The commissioner general said there would be no changes made to the exam centres, and about 5,000-strong staff would be deployed to oversee the procedure in 1,700 centres.
The incident cast doubts about the confidentiality of public examinations.
Lumbini Vidyalaya Deputy Principal Ven. Divithure Samantha Thera told the Sunday Times that incidents such as this affecting students’ mindsets could inevitably impact their academic achievement.
“Students eagerly await some free time after months of preparation and hard work. They have to wait longer now. Redoing the exam would diminish students’ self-confidence," he said.
Highlighting the monotony, anxiety, and stagnation among students, the deputy principal said A/L students lacked clarity on their goals and drive.
Besides, parents are also inconvenienced. Issues such as this will further erode parents’ and students’ trust in the higher educational system as a whole, the thera said. He said he would advise parents to avoid expressing negative emotions over the matter.
“Although the leak may not seem like a big issue, it has a significant impact on the future of a student. The authorities should act more responsibly, and they must devise a methodical plan to ensure that such situations do not occur repeatedly," the deputy principal said.
The rescheduling of the paper has also affected the beginning of the second phase of the third school term. It was previously scheduled to begin on February 1, but has been postponed to Monday, February 5.
Kotahena Central College Principal Mohan Parakrama Weerasinghe emphasised the inconvenience that arises for teachers and students alike when the necessity to finish the second half of the curriculum during the third term of school is deferred.
Students eagerly await some free time after months of preparation and hard work. They have to wait longer now. Redoing the exam would diminish students’ selfconfidence