It would not change- Bandula Gunawardena:
Only the saboteurs say the results are wrong:
A much spoken topic today is about the ’bungle’ in the release of the G.E.C Advanced Level results 2011.In this regard in yesterdays ‘Dinamina’ paper there was a long debate and a discussion was held with the Minister of Education. The Minister had confessed that under any circumstances the results released would not be changed. The results are not accepted by groups of saboteurs. The entire discussion, about the questions posed and answers given are appended below:
The Advanced level examination results have been subjected to a lot of speculations. The news was spread that it cannot be accepted. As the Minister of Education could you air your views?
“It has to be told initially that the AL results are 100% accurate. The students and parents should not have any unnecessary fear about it. Without a decimal deference the results have been released according to the new syllabus as well as the old syllabus. The results of all students have been released without a single student, been affected. This is the reason why the results got a bit delayed. We had obtained the services of a renowned committee comprising of competent Mathematicians. They had to make formula to make the ‘Z’ score very precise. The members of the Committee after working day and night was able to come ascertain the precise ‘Z’ score. The approval to it was obtained by the Attorney General. Those who cannot understand the truth are making various allegations. In this context all those students who worked tirelessly have been where they really stand and about their future. Those who obtained high marks will enter the respective Universities to commence their higher education and become Engineers, Doctors, Accountants. It is an issue for those who are of the opinion that the results are wrong. It is unfair by those who were selected”.
For District Ranks certain incorrect results were released. What was the reason for this?
“While trying to release the results in a hurry certain computer errors had occurred. To remedy it the President appointed a separate commission to rectify them. This commission was headed by a High court Judge, 3 Vice-Chancellors. I as Minister of Education and S.B. Dissanayake as the Minister of Higher Education were informed about it. What was revealed that while Data was fed into the computer certain errors had occurred? Since all errors had been rectified. District ranks do not affect students. What is important is the total aggregate marks. Without the slightest error the ’Z’ score had been amended of all students who sat for 3 and 4 subjects according to the old and new syllabuses. This is how the ’Z’ score was arrived at. Similar situations had occurred in the past history.”
Various Teaching organisations are demanding and protesting not to accept these results and to cancel it. What are your views about it?
“Those teaching organisations were planning much earlier to lodge protests and sabotages. When they tried to sabotage the Chancellors of Universities protested. In July the University lectures were against holding the examinations. They struck work until their salaries anomalies demands were resolved. The teacher organisations wanted to increase the examination fees and planned to boycott marking of papers. The Authorities said this is the children’s future and not to play with it.In this country without discrimination the Farmers, Labourers, Chancellors. Consultant doctors and the children of other Professionals and Businessmen were to sit the examination. The pleas I made to the knowledgeable parents were taken into consideration. They conveyed to me that they will mark the papers without a fee. This is the reason for the saboteurs were disappointed. Majority of the students and parents came forward boldly. The conspiracy was defeated in this manner”.
The delay in the release of the results, the intervention of the Minister, cries for the Minister to resign were subjects that were spoken?
“Why should I give my resignation?.I cannot intervene into the results that were released. There are two institutions of this country that cannot be influenced. It is the Department of education and the University Grants Commission. As the Minister in charge of education I have no right to interfere. If is possible the children of Politicians would get good results. The children of remote areas will never be afforded the opportunity of entering Universities. If this matter could be resolved with my resignation then I would resign. The Department of Education Act was made in1967.According to that act the Minister of Education cannot intervene into the activities of the Department of Examinations. Those who are protesting cannot understand these facts. To rectify them I have no provisions. As the Minister of Education I cannot comment and take the side of students, parents and other organisations. In terms of the act no Politician could intervene”.
It is learnt that the Sinhala answer papers of two students from Ampara were found in a waste paper basket and it was proved. What will happen to this incident?
“This is a wrong saying. No answer papers were found in a dust bin. These two answer papers were found after the rest of the papers were despatched. This was made known to the Commissioner of examinations on the same day over the phone. These were handed over later on the same day. The same day for neglect of duties the Examiner in charge was removed from his position. According to the Department of Education Act no answer papers could be accepted later. As it was not a mistake of the two students the two papers were accepted. This matter had been referred to the Secretary to the Minister of Education. The commissioner had compared this to a incident where a girl leaves home mischievously and returns home and she had been accepted by her parents. This is the correct stand. To take further action in this regard a decision is pending.”
“The incident at Alawwa examination is also a similar one. The answer papers given had appeared to be suspicious. Hence results have not been released until investigations are completed. These types of things do happen. It is not only this time.
Do you see any conspicuous difference about the results of students this year compared to the previous years?
“The percentage of passes is 60%. The number of students who sat the exam was 239,600.from schools 239,023 and 35,624 who had sat privately. A total number amounting to 142,000 students had passed the exam. A number totalling to 23,233 had failed the exam. Compared to the year 2010 the number who had failed is less. From those who sat for all 5 subjects 3687 students have passed. Out of which from biology 422 students, from Maths 317 and from Commerce 800 and 2146 students from Arts and 2 two students from other streams. To enter University 20862 have qualified from Biology, 13297 from Maths, 30893 in Commerce, 75754 in Arts while 407 from other streams.”
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