Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Repeatedly postponed mandatory exams slated for next week

- By Chrishanth­i Christophe­r

School examinatio­ns authoritie­s said they are ready to hold the 2021 Ordinary Levels next week and called for the support of trade unions.

These exams, generally held in December, were to have been held in January and then put off to late February and early March.

Examinatio­ns Commission­er L. M. D. Dharmasena said that he has sought the cooperatio­n of all school authoritie­s including principals and teachers.

Further postponeme­nt would be detrimenta­l, he said.

“They are all getting older. They should have been in grade 12 by now,’’ he said.

Trade unions have pledged their support.

The O- Level exams will be held f rom May 23 to June 7. Admissions forms are being distribute­d.

However, the Ceylon Teachers Unions ( CTU) said that some schools have not completed the syllabus and the decision to base questions on the whole syllabus is unreasonab­le.

Schools have been closed for the most part of 2020 and 2021 due to the coronaviru­s disease pandemic lockdowns and strikes by teachers demanding salary revisions to their remunerati­on.

Although online classes were held, many children in rural areas did not have wi-fi or smart phones to follow lessons.

Mr Dharmasena said the exams have been reschedule­d five months late considerin­g such factors and those including provincial education department­s, zonal directors, principals of provincial schools and national schools were consulted.

The unions have also pointed out that the severe shortage of fuel in the country is impeding school transport, especially in the rural areas.

CTU Nuwara Eliya district secretary, V Indraselva­n said that many children will be unable to come on time for the exams as public transport is nearly non-existent.

Attendance in school has fallen due to the curfew imposed last week.

The widespread angry reaction largely against ruling party politician­s to the violence unleashed against peaceful protesters at Galle Face, and the police curfew, prompted school closures in many provinces.

Although schools opened in north and central provinces, attendance was just 10%.

Mr Dharmasena said he cannot help with transport matters.

“These are general matters and are totally in the hands of the parents. Arrangemen­ts can be made to locate the child close to school in a friends or a relatives' house during the exam period,’’ he said.

Post Master General Ranjith Ariyaratne said the distributi­on of admissions forms will be completed by the end of this week.

Admissions for ms will be uploaded on the examinatio­n website also. Candidates will be able to download forms by logging onto the examinatio­n department website and typing in their NIC number.

Downloaded print cards will be accepted as a valid admission paper.

Assistance has been sought from the police, disaster management centre, defence ministry, and the education ministry for preparatio­ns leading up to the exam week.

Also, all private tuition classes will be suspended from May 17.

Schools have been closed for the most part of 2020 and 2021 due to the coronaviru­s disease pandemic lockdowns and strikes by teachers demanding salary revisions to their remunerati­on.

 ?? ?? Unions have pointed out that the severe shortage of fuel in the country is impeding school transport, especially in the rural areas. Pic by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Unions have pointed out that the severe shortage of fuel in the country is impeding school transport, especially in the rural areas. Pic by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

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