SB Stands by Z- Score .

Tuesday, 26 June 2012 17:52, Daylimirror

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake today reiterated that the Z- score system devised by the UGC was the best method that would cause the “least difficulties”. “We stand by the system devised by five eminent professors that this system would cause the least amount of difficulties and would ensure fairness among all students” he said.

However the Minister said that they would abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. “We agree with the decision of the Supreme Courts, but we are considering appealing against the decision and are currently consulting our lawyers” he said.

DIssanayake made these remarks addressing a press conference flanked by Proffessor Samaranayake the Chairman of the University Grants Commission and Prof. Saratah Kulathunga of the Kelaniya University and member of the five member panel that prepared the z score system this year,

 Dissanayake when asked if he would resign oHigher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake today reiterated that the Z- score system devised by the UGC was the best method that would cause the “least difficulties”. “We stand by the system devised by five eminent professors that this system would cause the least amount of difficulties and would ensure fairness among all students” he said.

However the Minister said that they would abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. “We agree with the decision of the Supreme Courts, but we are considering appealing against the decision and are currently consulting our lawyers” he said.

DIssanayake made these remarks addressing a press conference flanked by Proffessor Samaranayake the Chairman of the University Grants Commission and Prof. Saratah Kulathunga of the Kelaniya University and member of the five member panel that prepared the z score system this year,

 Dissanayake when asked if he would resign on this issue as requested by the UNP said “I can’t answer those questions please ask him” referring to the General Secretary of the UNP Tissa Attanayake.

Cartoon of the day, The Island

Intelligentsia shocked by actions against FUTA President

June 27, 2012, 10:16 pm , the island


By Ifham Nizam

Intellectuals and trade unions yesterday expressed concern over the recent intimidation and suspicious actions against Federation of University Teachers’ Unions, (FUTA) President, Dr. Nimal Ranjith Devasiri, who is also the Secretary of the Arts Faculty Teachers Union of the Colombo University.

Executive Editor of the Subavitha Magazine Mahinda Rathnayake told The Island yesterday that such tactics were clearly against democracy.

He said that the method of approach to intimidate a University Don sends a clear signal that it was not a personal move against an individual but against those who try to win their rights and work towards justice.

Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union, Vice Chairman, Keshara Kottegoda Withana said that the attempt was meant to send signals suppressing democratic rights which was not a healthy sign. "We vehemently oppose such moves," he added.

He also said that the group of people who had identified themselves as members of the Ministry of Defense, visited the neighbourhood in which Dr. Devasiri resided, and made inquiries about him and his family, in an attempt to intimidate them.

A jeep without a proper license plate was seen parked near his house. The action prompted Dr. Devasiri to lodge a complaint with the Maharagama police, he said.

He expressed hope that the police would take action against those involved in intimidating Dr. Devasiri.

In a letter addressed to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa copied to IGP N. K. Illangakoon, Professor Asanga Tilakaratne, President of the AFTU-CU stated:

"It has been brought to our notice that a group of men claiming to be from the Ministry of Defence have been behaving suspiciously within the neighbourhood of the Secretary of Arts Faculty Teachers’ Union (AFUTA), Dr. Nirmal Ranjith on June 19, 2012. They have questioned neighbours regarding Dr. Devasiri’s movements and details regarding his family. Dr. Devasiri has lodged a complaint with this regard at the Maharagama police Station on 21.06.2012.

"We are deeply concerned about this and request you to immediately launch an investigation into this matter."

Withana also noted that the University Teachers’ Union had been working to improve the livelihoods of university teachers, notably by campaigning for wage increases and improved working conditions. The Minister of Higher Education, S. B. Dissanayake had publicly opposed those efforts.

Trade unionists and political activists who campaign for wage increases and the improvement of working conditions were frequently threatened, and even, physically attacked, Withana added.

Education Minister refuses to budge

June 27, 2012, 12:00 pm , the island



by Dasun Edirisinghe

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday that there was no need for him to resign as he did not commit any wrong.

He was responding to the JVP’s and teacher trade unions’ demand for him to resign over the ‘Z–score’ fiasco.

"I was the third respondent in the ‘Z–score’ case and the examinations chief was the first respondent," Gunawardena said adding that the Supreme Court cleared them without any punishment.

Gunawardena said that the Examination Department calculated the ‘Z–score’ of the GCE (A/L) 2011 results based on the method given by the experts committee appointed by the University Grants Commission.

He said that the examinations department was not responsible for the ‘Z–score’ fiasco.

According to the Supreme Court order, the ‘Z–score’ of the two syllabi should be cal culated separately, the minister said adding that so far the UGC had not told the examination department to carry out the re-calculation.

Gunawardena said that the examinations department holds three major examinations, grade V scholarship, GCE (O/L) and GCE (A/L), per year.

"Our duty is to hold exams and evaluate papers," he said adding that the UGC was the authority for admitting students to universities and that was why they provided guidelines to make the ‘Z–score’.

The examination department calculated the ‘Z–score’ earlier using the formula given by the UGC, but the Court asked it to do it separately for the two syllabi, the minister said.

Now, the department was awaiting the new formula given by the Supreme Court, Gunawardena said.

UGC claims Uni. teachers given unusual pay hike

June 26, 2012, 9:54 pm 

by Dasun Edirisinghe, the island

The University Grants Commission (UGC) yesterday said that the government had granted an unusual salary hike to university teachers and asked them to call off the strike scheduled to begin on July 04.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, UGC Chief Prof. Gamini Samaranayake said that according to revised salary structures, the salaries of senior professors, professors, assistant professors, senior lecturer grade I, senior lecturer Grade II, lecturer and probationary lecturers had been increased by 73.88 per cent, 69.73 per cent, 66.12 per cent, 61.13 per cent, 58.68 per cent, 52.39 per cent and 36.64 per cent respectively from October 12, 2012.

He said that they also increased the paper marking allowance from Rs. 20 to Rs. 100, visiting lecture fees from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500.

Addressing the same press conference, Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake said most of senior lecturers were against the scheduled strike, but others forced them to join the strike.

"According to our information, lecturers of some faculties of universities countrywide would not join the strike," he said.

The minister said even the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Directors too were against the scheduled strike by university teachers and had asked to solve the problems through negotiations.

Dissanayake said that the government offered them an unbelievable salary hike despite doctors and judges demanding a salary hike too.

He said that the government also provided them with a housing loan scheme.

 

Non-academic staff call off strike

June 26, 2012, 9:46 pm 

by Dasun Edirisinghe, the island

University non-academic staff called off their strike last night after signing an agreement with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Labour Commissioner.

Media spokesman of the Inter University Trade Union Joint Committee Wijayathilaka Jayasinghe told The Island that the UGC had promised to rectify their salary anomalies within 45 days and issue a circular to that effect.

Non-academic staff launched the strike on June 06.

UGC experts stand by their method, but honour SC decision

June 26, 2012, 9:45 pm 

by Dasun Edirisinghe, the islnd

The UGC appointed experts panel, which prepared the combined Z-score for the two syllabi, yesterday insisted that they were still of the firm belief that their decision was the most fair method for students who sat the A/L examination in 2011.

Addressing a media conference at the UGC auditorium, flanked by Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake and UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake, a member of the experts panel, Prof. Sarath Kulatunga, said that they had calculated the Z–score separately and deeply investigated it first.

"But it was more unfair to students," he said adding that it was the reason to go ahead with their second method to merge the Z–score of two syllabi.

The experts committee included Prof. K. R. M. T. Karunaratne of Sri Jayewardenepura University, Prof. Sarath Kulatunga of Kelaniya University, Prof. Sarath Peiris of Moratuwa University, Dr. Sarath Banneheka of Sri Jayewardenepura University and Dr. Dilhari Atygalle of the Colombo University.

Prof. Kulatunga said they however honoured the Supreme Court decision.

UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake said that they would implement the Supreme Court order immediately, but would have to go to the Court again for some clarifications.

The Examination Department had the authority to calculate the Z–scores and issue the results, he said.

"But the Supreme Court issued the directive to us," Prof. Samaranayake said adding they would go to Court again to clarify whether it should be done by the UGC or the Examination Department.

He said that sometimes they might have to call for applications again for university admissions, but declined to comment further.

Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake said that their lawyers were now working on the matter.

Annul A/L results and re-calculate-SC

Dailymirror

The Court also ordered the UGC to comply with the Universities Act and to take steps to calculate the Z-Scores on the basis that the Old Syllabus and the New Syllabus were distinct from each other.

Chief Justice Shirani A.Bandaranayake with Justices N.G. Amaratunga and K. Sripavan agreeing also ordered the UGC to take steps to re-issue the Z-Scores to the candidates who sat the 2011 GCE A/L Examination  after correcting the errors and shortcomings and to do so without delay.

The Court said it was not within the purview of this application to correct the validity of the results that had been released with regard to the 2011 GCE A/L examination and in the absence of any valid material the Court would not interfere with the results of this exam.

It said that because the UGC had treated the two categories of students who sat the examination under a single section the UGC had violated the petitioners’ fundamental rights to equality and equal protection of the law.

Sixteen GCE A/L students and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union filed the fundamental rights violation petition citing Examinations Chief W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene, Peradeniya University Professor R.O. Thattil and the Attorney General as respondents.(SSS)

Undergrads to add to govt. woes

June 25, 2012, 9:37 pm 

by Dasun Edirisinghe, the island

Undergraduates will launch a new protest campaign against the government’s delay in solving the problems of university non academic staff who are currently on an indefinite strike demanding rectification of their salary anomalies.

Convener of the Inter University Students Federation Sanjeewa Bandara told The Island that the academic calendar, including examinations were completely paralysed due to the strike started on June 06.

"Examinations in most universities have been postponed due to the strike and undergraduate have to wait months to sit them," he said.

Bandara said that as it was the academic calendar was late by two or three years. The current situation would add to the backlog in the universities.

"All degree programmes got delayed by three months when university teachers launched a trade union action last year. This strike too entered its 20th day today", he said.

According to him they would support the trade union action and the government should meet their demands immediately to stop it.

Bandara said university teachers too planned to start a strike from July 04 and the situation would become worse if the government did not provide immediate solution.

UGC asked to calculate Z-score separately for two syllabi

June 25, 2012, 9:56 pm 

By Chitra Weerarathne, the island

The Supreme Court yesterday declared null and void the August 2011 GCE (A/L) examination Z-score. The judgement said that there was a complex question as regards the Z-score calculated on the basis of the old syllabus and the new syllabus taken together.

The second respondent, the University Grants Commission, was directed to comply with Section 15 (Vii) of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, as amended and to take necessary and relevant steps to recalculate the Z-score marks of the candidates who sat the GCE (A/L) examination in August 2011, according to accepted methods.

The main issue, in the fundamental rights violation application, was the calculation of the Z-score. Therefore, it was not within the purview of the application to consider the validity of the raw results that had been released. Further, in the absence of any cogent material, the Supreme Court would not interfere in the results of the AL Examination, the judgment said.

The Court ruled that a complex question had arisen due to the treatment of the two syllabi as a single population. That was incorrect, it said.

Judgement said: "Although there is no specific provision dealing with the right to education in our Constitution as such, in the Universal declaration of Human Rights, the said right has been accepted and the right has been acknowledged by our Courts, through the provisions of Article 12 (1) of the Constitution. In doing so, the Supreme Court, has not only considered that the right to education has been accepted as a fundamental human right but also accepted the value of education, which has been described by James A. Garfield as next in importance to freedom and justice. Without education, neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.

Since the UGC had taken steps to treat the two categories of students who sat for the New and Old syllabi as a single population, wherein, they clearly belong to two distinct populations, the UGC violated the petitioners’ fundamental right to freedom from arbitrary treatment guaranteed in Article 12 (1) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka."

The Court accepted the view of the petitioners that the students had not been previously informed of the pooling of the two syllabi. More than half the population that sat the AL in August 2011, comprised students who followed the new syllabus.

J. C. Weliamuna appeared with Sanjeewa Ranaweera for the petitioner students and the petitioner Teacher Trade Union.

Faiz Mustapha PC, appeared with Kushan De Alwis, Kaushalya Nawaratne and Faizer Marker for the second respondent the University Grants Commission.

Senior State Counsel Nevin Pulle appeared with State Counsel Suren Gnanaraj for the Minister of Education the first respondent. Fifth respondent, Professor R. O. Thatill appeared for himself.

The Judgement was by the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake with Justice N. G. Amaratunga and Justice K. Sripavan agreeing.