Saturday, December 31, 2011

A/L RESULTS BLUNDER WILL SPAWN EDUCATION ALTERNATIVES: FUTA

  • 31 Dec 2011
  • Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
  • BY OLINDHI JAYASUNDERE

The Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) yesterday said the existing controversy over the A/L results that were released twice this week due to a technical error by the Examinations Department would compel students to find other education alternatives to replace the local Advanced Level examinations.
FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Dewasiri said this was already a growing trend among the urban middle classes who could afford alternatives to the local A/L examination such as London A/L and internationally affiliated schools that are widely available today. With the existing controversy over the blunders made by the Examinations Department the search for other alternatives will increase, he said. “The most negative impact is the credibility which has deteriorated because of this controversy. There has been a serious lack of transparency and accountability as no acceptable explanation has been given on this issue and owing to this parents may seek other options for their children which we find is already a growing trend,”
He said the A/L results would not have a direct impact on local university entrance but that if candidates did not obtain the results they expected they would blame the Examinations Department for alleged errors made by the department.
Those most affected by the controversy would be the rural and underprivileged youth as they would have less access to education alternatives and would have to bear the brunt of blunders made by Examinations Department, he said.
Commenting on the private education bill which would be introduced in Parliament next month he said greater opportunities would by made available for the urban upper middle class and the middle class but that it would limit the opportunities available fo the mass of youth in the country.

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