Reducing stress factor under review

Discussions to modify the Grade 5 Scholarship exam from next year onwards has commenced, said Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

Officials from the Education Ministry, Exams Dept and the National Institute of Education are among those involved in the discussions.

“The objective of the discussion is to set a paper which does not bring pressure on the students,” the Minister said.

Commissioner General of Examinations Sanath Pujitha said, "If the Grade 5 examination is cancelled, the students will face difficul- ties in moving into another school.

“What we need to clarify is at what stage a Scholarship should be given and, if the Scholarship is stopped what is the alternative," he said.

He said, "However, as a first step, Paper I has already been simplified and the objective is to further reduce the pressure on them.