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| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
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Country's crucial situation led to dissolution of parliament - student leader by Neomi Kodikara The move to postpone the G.C.E. (A/L) 2004 examination till May 6 due to the sudden dissolution of Parliament and the General Election which has brought mixed reactions from teachers, parents and student unions, with some saying that it would disrupt education of students at all levels, while others saying it is nothing out of the ordinary. Ravindra Mudalige, Convener for the Inter-University Students' Federation (IUSF) while admitting that some students were affected by the postponement of the A/L examinations and its consequences, said that President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had to take this decision when the country was in a crucial situation. "But, unfortunately some are trying to get political gains out of this situation. This has not been the first time A/L examinations were postponed. There were times when the exams were postponed even due to power cuts, as in 1996. It is hilarious how some opportunists try to manipulate the situation for political gain," he said. Mudalige further added that the UNP Government has no moral right to talk about the country's education when its decisions and directives affected the quality of education adversely. A Deputy Principal of a leading girls' school told the Sunday Observer that the postponement of A/L exams will certainly affect education from the grass roots level. "Not only students sitting for A/L examinations but other schoolchildren, especially O/L students will also be affected as the teachers will not be able to cover the school curriculum before the G.C.E. (O/L) examination in December," she added. However, they have planned to conduct extra classes for O/L students. "But, that is one side of the coin. The other side is that we all have to understand that the President took this move at a crucial moment. Without smooth administration, where would the country be headed? Most importantly, there should be law and order in a country in order to continue with normal lifestyles". A mother of two school-going children said that inevitably there will be problems for working mothers as schoolchildren are getting about two-months of vacation. "According to some sudden decisions taken by the authorities, the most badly affected field is education." She emphasised that children should not be penalised for political gains. The Department of Examinations under the instructions of the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, has arranged to hold the exams from May 6 to 31, at a stretch, avoiding the possible interruptions by the elections and the festive season in April. Subash Fernando, (18) who is sitting for the G.C.E. (A/L) this year expressed his displeasure over the postponement. "It will affect students entering the universities as the date of intake will be unnecessarily delayed until next year." However, he was glad that he is getting a few extra days for last-minute cramming. Ministry officials believe that a long vacation would bring dire consequences on the quality of education. According to international standards on education, school sessions should be conducted for a minimum of 210 days a year, but it is hardly possible to do so here with the number of holidays in our calendar, he said. |
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