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A/L crisis goes to Supreme Court

30 January 2012 08:52 pm - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sixteen GCE Advanced Level Students and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) yesterday filed fundamental rights violation petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the formula applied on the 2011 GCE Advanced Level Examination to calculate the Z-score.

The petitioners said the erroneous and unjustifiable application of the formula had caused a gross distortion of the examination results.
Examinations Commissioner General W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene, Peradeniya University R.O. Thattiland and the Attorney General were cited as respondents.

The petitioners alleged that their fundamental rights to equality and equal protection of the law had been violated and sought court to declare null and void the August 2011 GCE Advanced Level results and the Z-scores.

They are asking the court to direct that the Z-Scores of the candidates be calculated according to the accepted statistical norms and principles, and to calculate the Z-score of a subject on the premise that the new syllabus and the old syllabus are separate from each other.

They are also asking the court to direct the respondents to reissue the results to all the candidates after correcting the errors as regards the Z-Score and other shortcomings.

The petitioners are seeking the court to make an appropriate interim order suspending any further step with regard to university admission, until the final determination of this application.

They are asking court to make an order calling for all the documentation, records and reports pertaining to the calculation of the Z-score contained in the official results of the GCE Advanced Level Examination released on December 30 and to award compensation to the petitioners as determined by the court.

They said until 1999, the selection of students for admission to universities and other higher educational institutions were based on the aggregate marks obtained by the candidates at the GCE Advanced Level Examination.

During this period, every subject stream, namely Biological Science, Mathematics, Commerce and Arts contained four (4) subjects and therefore, a candidate had to sit for four (4) separate question papers.

However, with the introduction of new educational reforms, the number of subjects relevant to a subject stream of the GCE Advanced Level Examination was reduced to three (3) from year 2000. Accordingly, a candidate was required to sit for three (3) question papers thenceforth, in addition to a Common General Test which all the candidates were expected to get through. (S.S. Selvanayagam)

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  Comments - 25

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  • Veena Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:43 AM

    Given the gross arrogance of the officials and politicos, this is inevitable. With the future of a generation of students at stake, hope that quick justice will be delivered.

    NV Wednesday, 01 February 2012 04:45 AM

    Danger of not correcting wrong method used in 2011 is that all future examinations will have to be conducted on the basis of erroneous method used in 2011. It is a real mess up in arts and business studies subjects as well where there are several subjects and options for candidates. If the 2011 erroneous method continues, that will be the end of future prospects for higher education in Sri Lanka. Students have already lost confidence on Advanced Level examinations. It is a great service done to the younger generation of our nation if we can reestablish confidence on examinations system by reverting to method used in 2001 for Z score calculation.

    Kanchana Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:52 PM

    Other professions have joined the teachers.

    Fredie Silva Tuesday, 31 January 2012 08:31 AM

    Single competition to reward live stage dramas and films for best actor, actress so on and so forth.

    crzyrat Tuesday, 31 January 2012 08:07 AM

    No no its SUBA ANAGANEEEMAK...... He he..

    upul Tuesday, 31 January 2012 08:04 AM

    UCG has no rights to call for applications untill this mess is cleared.

    Very surprising to note that they act as nothing has happned.

    E-sokka Tuesday, 31 January 2012 07:50 AM

    Ztat Wizard that plot 'feel' & 'see' in the same graph which are two distinct distributions and no standard method available for same. What has been released certainly less accurate in contrast to 'Duckworth Lewis' prediction and conclution.Loosing the case means, final nails in two coffins.

    cc: Victor Doki
    Ruwan W & Parliamentarian proj.

    hassa Tuesday, 31 January 2012 07:42 AM

    The Chief Justice, an academician before the appointment, children and parents have great hopes!!!!

    Sam Tuesday, 31 January 2012 06:19 AM

    When is the hearing?

    lal Tuesday, 31 January 2012 05:41 AM

    Very good move.waiting for outcome.

    joker Tuesday, 31 January 2012 05:36 AM

    baduth hamaduruwange! naduth hamaduruwange!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    hic...hic...............
    all the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 31 January 2012 05:10 AM

    If one needs to go to Supreme Court to sort out such mundane issues as well, why do we need so many Ministers for Education (including one to supervise!) Pathetic, indeed.

    Yuri Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:47 AM

    why war crime does not even go to Police station?

    Sena Monday, 30 January 2012 09:17 PM

    OMG! This time around, even judges are going to be thrown into confusion over this blessed Z score business!!

    Christy Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:33 AM

    When there are 147,000 applications for re-corrections, examination needs an overall recalculation using correct methodology.

    Christy Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:14 AM

    Please contact Ceylon Teachers Union or else Sudath Perera associates , they might also help. there may be other law firms.

    The God Father Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:03 AM

    It is a good move fellas, my question is whether the supreme court give judgement independently?????
    Pls remember we are living in Sri Lanka.

    buffaloa citizen Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:03 AM

    An excellent move. I wish them all success in this endeavour free from State intimidation, threats and arm twisting.

    Sunil Lanka Tuesday, 31 January 2012 04:00 AM

    Our children will have to pay for the sins of foolish political goats. ANY WAY SUBA ANAGATHAYAK TO THEM

    sam Tuesday, 31 January 2012 03:49 AM

    Good move but Govt will win...... :P

    Rehman Tuesday, 31 January 2012 03:27 AM

    What a waste...

    Zarudeen Tuesday, 31 January 2012 01:52 AM

    First school admission criteria was formulated by Supreme Court, then SLEAS Class -1 selection criteria was decided by Supreme Court. Now A/L result and university admission criteria is to be decided by Supreme Court. Why not bring MOE under Supreme Court?

    Victim Tuesday, 31 January 2012 02:00 AM

    Somebody please tell how to contact this group. i also need to go against those injustices.

    Suren Sarathkumara Tuesday, 31 January 2012 01:18 AM

    Very good move. Highly hail this.

    jterm Tuesday, 31 January 2012 12:35 AM

    I still don't know what this Z-score is. How can the public even react without understanding the problems. I feel so sorry for those who sat for the Exam this year.


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