'Why do children fail to sit GCE (OL) exam:

Survey on children who abandon secondary education

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Education Ministry will conduct a survey on school children who abandon their secondary education before they reach 14 and those who fail to sit the GCE (OL) examination.

Every child ought to attend school from Grade one according to Education Department regulations but statistics reveal that a large number of children leave school even before sitting the GCE (OL) examination due to a variety of reasons.

Research also shows that children of low income groups and those who have lost their parents are the most vulnerable and give up studies early.

Some children in the estate sector either stop schooling mid way or avoid attending school even from Grade one.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane told the Sunday Observer that his Ministry has already directed officials in the Education Department to conduct a survey on such children and ascertain the reasons for their inability to attend school.

The Minister called upon the public to co-operate with the Government in this regard.