| Date:2012-05-12 02:01:00 | |
| Stanley Samarasinghe, Ceylon Today The Supreme Court yesterday declared that results of the 2011 AL examination were incorrect based on the two sets of question papers submitted to the Court. Supreme Court Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga said the inquiry relating to the Fundamental Right Case filed by 16 students and Ceylon Teachers Union challenging the validity of 2011 AL results, has revealed that the results were incorrect. The Court had examined the two sets of question papers submitted to the Court by the petitioners. Examination Commissioner W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara, representatives from the University Grants Commission, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Professor R.O. Thatil and the Attorney General were the respondents. Counsel for the petitioners J.C. Weliamuna submitted to the Court that the incorrect results were caused by amalgamating marks from two separate papers to calculate the ‘Z’s score. The counsel for two students seeking to support the case submitted that the two sets of examination papers given to the students stated that 33 out of 60 questions in each paper were identical. However, the counsel said according to the new syllabus a student can obtain more marks answering a lesser number of questions in a shorter time whereas with the older syllabus it was the opposite of it. At this time Justice Amaratunga observed that even one mark could make a vast difference in the results and consequently in the life of a student. Counsel Weliamuna together with Counsel Sanjeeva Ranaweera instructed by Counsel Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi appeared for the petitioners. President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha with Counsel Kushan Alwis appeared for the University Grants Commission and State Counsel Therium Pillai appeared for the Minister and the Attorney General. |
Monday, May 14, 2012
Results of the 2011 AL exams were incorrect - SC
Z-score criteria to be amended
The situation is likely to delay the admission of students to universities for the next academic year.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) worked out a common methodology for the admission of students under both the syllabi. However, students, teachers and parents challenged it saying that those who did the exam under the new syllabuses were at the short end because of the common system introduced.
Later, some students and a teachers’ union moved the Supreme Court against this criteria which, according to them, violated their fundamental rights.
Subsequent to the Supreme Court’s observations in this respect, Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake said yesterday that he decided to appoint a committee to further amend the manner in which the common methodology of calculating the Z-score rankings is calculated. He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed him to do so following complaints by aggrieved students, parents and teachers.
Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne said the committee would be appointed probably today or tomorrow.
“We are yet to decide on the composition of this committee. We need to have a common system for the two syllabi, without causing injustice to any student. The Advanced Level Examination will be conducted under two different syllabi this time. Then, we will have the same problem in the calculation of Z-score rankings. Therefore, it is advisable to resolve this problem right at this time. We are planning to broaden the criteria,” he said.
In addition to the problems in the calculation of Z-score marks, there were irregularities in the calculation of rankings of students at district and island levels this time. It eventually led to unrest among candidates
A committee was appointed to look into this problem, and it proposed to take several steps for the capacity development of the examination department in handling the technology related functions. (Kelum Bandara)
Controversial Z-score under review
May 13, 2012, 11:17 pmby Dasun Edirisinghe, the island
Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake has decided to appoint a committee to review the Z-score system used to admit students to universities.
Minister Dissanayake told The Island that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had instructed him to review the current system of university admissions and to sort out problems related to it once and for all.
Minister Dissanayake said: "There is a Z-Score formula to select students to the universities. Though this system has been in use for some years it has come under criticism from some quarters. There are also differences of opinion on the method among parents, students and university teachers," he said.
Considering some issues voiced by students, parents, professors, intellectuals, legal experts and various stakeholders during a case against the Z-score system being heard at the Supreme Court, the President had instructed that the system of university admissions be rendered fair by one and all. "I have also been instructed that action be taken immediately and I plan to appoint a special ministerial committee to review the existing system based on Z score formula," Minister Dissanayake added.
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