GCE O/L exam starts tomorrow

The scheduled GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examinations will begin tomorrow and last for ten days, Education Minister G.L. Pieris said.

He said a total number of 622,305 candidates will sit for the Exam at 4,513  centres

"423,746 school and 198,606 external candidates will sit for the exam. There are 542 examination coordinating centres established countrywide. Two special examination centres have been established in every district to face any emergency situation that may arise due to COVID-19," he said.

"Our main ambition is not to waste the precious youthfulness in the children. We could continue with the education while facing all the challenges that come amid the COVID-19 pandemic," the Minister said.

He said special arrangements have been made for Colombo District as such centres may not be sufficient.

Accordingly, Examinations Department Commissioner General Sanath Pujitha said conducting coaching or tuition classes targeted at the O/L Examination has been strictly prohibited from February 23 midnight until tonight.

Prof. Pieris also said the Examination Department expects to release the results by June and said plans were drawn to commence A/L classes for these children from July onwards. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)