Govt. to revise holding O/L, A/L exams, thus facilitate to obtain first degree qualification

The Government has decided to revise the periods of holding the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L), Advanced Level (A/L) Examinations and rendering the opportunities to obtain the first-degree qualification within a minimum time frame through minimizing the time spent to select State Universities.

While addressing the weekly cabinet media briefing, Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said due to the extended period consumed to issue O/L and A/L  and beginning of the A/L classes, as well as the time spent to select students for State Universities, the ages of students when they complete school education and completing University education, are estimated between 19-20 and 25-26 years respectively as observed. 

"The structural inconsistencies in these examination systems and the unnecessary administrative delays related to technical procedures led to unnecessary delays in entering the job market after completing their higher education," the Minister said. 

Accordingly, restructuring the syllabus for grades 10 and 11 for only one year and nine months, and conducting both the GCE O/L and A/L examinations in August and December respectively and release the results within three months. So that the total period of 45 months at present could be reduced 32 months while providing required provisions for the same, the Minister said.

The selection of students for the Universities based on the 'Z' score without waiting until the re-correction process after the A/L exam is concluded. If there are students whose results be upgraded through the re-correction process, they should be awarded new marginal 'Z' scores, so that they could undergo the relevant degree programmes and apply for this methodology with effect from 2020 Advanced Level, the cabinet spokesman added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)