Chairman of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, Joseph Stalin yesterday (Dec. 15th) called for the cancellation of the mathematics question paper at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination. In a statement, the CTU chairman requested a fresh paper for the subject.
Noting the maths paper on Dec. 13th 2008 was set under the new syllabus for secondary students that was implemented through a ministry circular issued on 2006, Mr. Stalin said the irresponsibility of the Education Ministry and the Department of Examinations had inconvenienced the students.
Though the Education Ministry and the Department of Examinations earlier said that the two-hour the question paper was based on the competency based education system introduced under the new syllabus, it became a race against time causing stress to many students.
Also, direction scripts to invigilators said that no extra answer script paper should be given for the candidates while invigilators in several exam centres have been instructed otherwise.
Before introducing a new question paper, a model question paper should be issued to teachers and students.
Yet, it did not happen properly this time as model question paper issued to subject directors have not been circulated among the schools properly.
So, students were quite detached after receiving the paper due to the lack of practice, the CTU Chairman added.
Education officials should be responsible for holding two unsuccessful exams in two consecutive years after the change of syllabus, he said.
Now, the Education Ministry and the Department of Examinations are blaming each other in order to cover up their mistakes.
However, it is the students who have been subjected to grave injustice, the CTU Chairman added.
LD
Noting the maths paper on Dec. 13th 2008 was set under the new syllabus for secondary students that was implemented through a ministry circular issued on 2006, Mr. Stalin said the irresponsibility of the Education Ministry and the Department of Examinations had inconvenienced the students.
Though the Education Ministry and the Department of Examinations earlier said that the two-hour the question paper was based on the competency based education system introduced under the new syllabus, it became a race against time causing stress to many students.
Also, direction scripts to invigilators said that no extra answer script paper should be given for the candidates while invigilators in several exam centres have been instructed otherwise.
Before introducing a new question paper, a model question paper should be issued to teachers and students.
Yet, it did not happen properly this time as model question paper issued to subject directors have not been circulated among the schools properly.
So, students were quite detached after receiving the paper due to the lack of practice, the CTU Chairman added.
Education officials should be responsible for holding two unsuccessful exams in two consecutive years after the change of syllabus, he said.
Now, the Education Ministry and the Department of Examinations are blaming each other in order to cover up their mistakes.
However, it is the students who have been subjected to grave injustice, the CTU Chairman added.
LD
Nikan inna eke onnaa ohe liyala dapan 
