Drop in science results

11 February 2013 03:25 am - 34 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane, yesterday, faulted university academics for what he described as ‘setting question papers outside the scope of the science and math syllabuses’, for the last G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination.

Mr. Gunawardane told Daily Mirror that both school and private candidates had found it difficult to answer such questions, and eventually, it had led to a drop in results. He said that only around 40 percent of the students who sat the examination in these two streams had passed.

The minister stressed that questions should be set so that they would be easy for students to fathom.

The Education Ministry has already instructed the Department of Examinations to maintain open communication with question paper setters, and instruct them to stick to the framework of the syllabuses in future.

“We have done this on the past two occasions. Yet the university academics who set the papers have ignored it. They have to be mindful of the syllabuses and the number of periods allotted for teaching them. Also, they should give mind to the textbooks, model questions and answers available to students. In the commerce stream, our instructions had been followed. Therefore as many as 72 percent of the students passed the examination this time,” said Mr. Gunawardane.

Compared to international examinations, he said, Sri Lanka’s Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Examinations are too advanced for the students.

“We want to encourage students to choose science and math for their Advanced Level studies. Currently, only 21 percent of the students choose these two streams. It should be increased to 40 percent. The number opting for the commerce stream should be upped from the present 27 percent to 35 percent. As many as 51 percent of students select the arts stream,” he said.

The Ven. Yalwela Pannasekara, the president of Sri Lanka United Teachers’ Union said the quality of Sri Lanka’s examinations was universally recognised, and, therefore, it was not advisable to make the question papers easier.

“It will increase the number of students who pass the examination, but the quality will be questionable,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 34

parakj Monday, 11 February 2013 09:00 AM

conscience results are far weaker

Sumedha Monday, 11 February 2013 06:09 AM

The problem is availability of Science and Maths teaches. Some schools don't offer these streams due to lack of qualified teachers and students have no choice, even if they want follow science/Maths.

disgusted Monday, 11 February 2013 06:19 AM

dont have any exams. just give certificates to all
so easy

disgusted Monday, 11 February 2013 06:24 AM

dont be stupid

Yaka Monday, 11 February 2013 06:55 AM

Did you mean "dropping" results to "Down South" ??

K Tilak Monday, 11 February 2013 07:06 AM

Why do you need Engineers and Doctors? Our Politicians are experts on all Subjects!

sakuba Monday, 11 February 2013 07:17 AM

The result in 2012 A/L is highly abnormal because only 77 students got 3 A's from wayamba province that has 12% of Sri Lankas total population. In all other provinces, this figure is 300 and more'

za Monday, 11 February 2013 07:42 AM

There is a significant drop in English medium bioscience results. we need to find whether Sinhalese and English medium bioscience papers marked in the same manner...

frank hilary Monday, 11 February 2013 08:33 AM

I think there is a hidden agenda to favor someone at the next Exam. Minister's daughter is also a poor performer at Vishaka Vidyalaya.

Lucky Weeramantry Monday, 11 February 2013 06:00 AM

There Is A Drop In Science Students because The Government Can't Afford Better Facilities For That Subject. Most Of The Them Go Abroad To Qualify And Never Come Back. Bandu Can't Even Stop The Leaks. No Wonder There Is A Drop.

Rawanasinghe Monday, 11 February 2013 01:30 PM

time is right now to People's ruling,

sarah Monday, 11 February 2013 12:00 AM

cynic..u are 100persnt true. via DM Android App

Pondering Monday, 11 February 2013 12:00 AM

me yakaata pissu. This is o/levels, not kindergarten. what is the point of having the exams easy so that everyone passes? is this idiot going to find everyone jobs? via DM Android App

ambaruwa Monday, 11 February 2013 04:30 PM

Hon Bandula u are the most handsomest met in the parliment

AF Monday, 11 February 2013 05:43 PM

Still there are students getting 3As and still do not get medicine or engineering.

MIG-FromDubai Monday, 11 February 2013 06:03 PM

Soon Minister will explain scientifiically, how science results have dropped.

Ranjith Monday, 11 February 2013 11:55 PM

Let the politician' s do it next time. not the academics

Din Monday, 11 February 2013 04:49 AM

12% of Commerce Students got 3As this time. This man destroying the image of A/L. This is to select best out of best. Not to practice for model papers.

Cynic Monday, 11 February 2013 03:55 AM

This is what happens when unsuitable people are appointed as education minister.

lalitha Monday, 11 February 2013 03:55 AM

instead of improving the standard of education, hes gana make the exams easier!!! very smart man

edward Monday, 11 February 2013 04:12 AM

Why we have Education ministry if the question papers are set by university academics

jayantha silva Monday, 11 February 2013 04:19 AM

Education , like everything else , has been ruined .

Joel Monday, 11 February 2013 04:24 AM

Sri Lankan Exam papers- The only exam papers in the world which is set to fail students in exams!!

ANTON Monday, 11 February 2013 04:22 AM

This reminds me the political dance, you all can do it yourselves,

ONE STEP FORWARD
TWO STEPS BACKWARD AND
A SIDE STEP

ENJOY !!!!

Achari Monday, 11 February 2013 04:25 AM

Now he can start tuition on Science and Maths.

Mutu Monday, 11 February 2013 04:40 AM

I thought he is a econ teacher who recommended that a working man could live with what is spent to feed school a child in a hostel.

PRASANNAJIT Monday, 11 February 2013 03:30 AM

He wants 100% results.

Lankan RTA Monday, 11 February 2013 04:56 AM

"said the quality of Sri Lanka’s examinations was universally recognised," - this is a myth among many Sri Lankans. Apply to other universities and see they haven't recognized even many degrees from Sri Lanka. even with lankan MBBS you can't work in other countries without siting their exams. But Indian degrees are now recognized in US.

Trevin Perera Monday, 11 February 2013 05:15 AM

"The minister stressed that questions should be set so that they would be easy for students to fathom". How stupid he is? If the questions get easy for the students to answer then all will score very well and it will be very difficult for the university selections. Instead of that dump statement, they should maintain the standard of the questions.

K Tilak Monday, 11 February 2013 05:30 AM

University Academics know what standard is required before a student can start on a Degree. It is up to the Education Minister to see that Schools are given a suitable syllabus and competent Teachers, to enable students to reach the required Standard.

kandykolla Monday, 11 February 2013 05:37 AM

Leak the papers...!! Results will automatically go up...!!!

Lucky Weeramantry Monday, 11 February 2013 05:43 AM

No Wonder Everything Is Breaking Down. There Are No Engineers And Doctors To Develop The Country.

anam Monday, 11 February 2013 05:50 AM

Why he didn't prepare the question papers? Would have made every student pass the examinations!

Sapumal Bandara Monday, 11 February 2013 05:59 AM

You have got it all wrong. Only certain degrees from certain Indian Universities are recognised in US. Likewise certain Degrees from certain Universities are highly recognised not only in the USA, but worldwide. For example the Moratuwa Engineering Degrees.

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Drop in science results

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