Public exams should be on completed lessons: NIE

The question papers for the three main public examinations for students should be confined to the syllabuses completed by teachers, the National Institute of Education (NIE) recommended the Education Ministry recently.

The recommendations apply for the Grade five scholarship examination, G. C. E. ( O/ L) and G. C. E ( A/ L) examinations which have been rescheduled for next year.

A senior Education Ministry official said the recommendation has now been sent to the Examinations Department.

A final decision on the recommendations will be taken by the Education Ministry next week.

The NIE had made the suggestion following a review meeting with officials in charge of preparation of syllabuses.

They looked into the learning losses of students due to the closure of schools and the inability to conduct classes due to the COVID19 pandemic.

In the Western Province students have not completed 50 per cent of their syllabuses, while in the outstation areas it is more than 60 per cent, the Education Ministry revealed recently.

A senior official of the Examination Department said the main focus of the department, would be the Grade five scholarship exam and the O/L exam syllabuses, while there may be a possibility of completing the A/L syllabus much later on.

He said the department and Education Ministry intend to reduce mental pressure on the students by preparing questions only on the parts of syllabus which have been completed, instead of making papers on the full syllabus.

“We will prepare the exam papers depending on the decision taken at next week’s meeting,” he added.

The Education Ministry recently decided to revise the date of the examinations as follows; Grade five scholarship exam - January 22, G. C. E A/ L exams - February 7 to March 6 and G.C.E O/L exams - May 23 to June 1.