Grade-5 scholarship exam not compulsory anymore: Akila

25 October 2018 04:01 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday he had instructed his Ministry Secretary to rescind the circular which made the Grade 5 scholarship examination compulsory for schoolchildren .

He said this at the prize-giving of Anula Vidyalaya in Nugegoda and pointed out that he took this

decision after consideration the recommendations of the Review Committee which looked into the restructuring of the scholarship exam.

The minister said the scholarship examination was introduced to ensure that the children of low-income families have access to popular schools.

“Only 120 out of about 300,000 students who sit the exam get the opportunity to enter popular schools. This is a grave violation of their rights. The committee has pointed out that children are further depressed with having to attend tuition classes. This competitive examination has a negative mental impact on the children,” he said.

“Several important decisions on the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will be taken in the future. They will be based on the recommendation of the panel,” the minister said and added that in future it would be optional for students to sit the Grade-5 Scholarship examination. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

Comments - 9

GH Thursday, 25 October 2018 05:53 PM

Good move.

4 47

Lankaboy Thursday, 25 October 2018 06:10 PM

Please scrap this exam totally. Let these kids enjoy their childhood with more free time. Our kids are loosing childhood and loaded with school books from grade3 in the name of these silly exam

4 50

BUSHEL Thursday, 25 October 2018 07:41 PM

WHEN IT IS MADE OPTIONAL EVERY BODY WILL OPT FOR THE EXAM TO GET ADVANTAGE TO ENTER POPULAR SCHOOLS.

3 19

Saranga Thursday, 25 October 2018 07:59 PM

Finally

4 17

Kalan Friday, 26 October 2018 10:57 AM

Rescinding the circular making the exam compulsory is hopefully the first step in gradually phasing this out. Great decision!

0 4

m.h. hazeem Friday, 26 October 2018 10:59 AM

in fact this is a wise decision of the authorities concerned, but the authorities must have a plan to uplift the facilities of the rural schools to overcome the prevailing issues in the rural schools.

0 5

DillonDP Friday, 26 October 2018 12:45 PM

Though accepting this move, one should understand the rural schools should be improved in par with popular schools, if we are to forge a nation of educated and informed citizens

0 0

Roshan Friday, 26 October 2018 03:41 PM

Just stop this. We have highest suiside rate. Reason can be nagtive impact to mental health form this kind of unnecessary things. If there is no scholarship , there will be no popular schools also. Talented students come from scholarship builds the brand for them.

1 1

Akthar Friday, 26 October 2018 06:12 PM

It's better to limit only for Popular schools and let the village schools do the Scholarship exam.

0 1

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