The Education Ministry will hold talks with the Health Ministry before deciding to hold the GCE Advanced Level and Grade 5 scholarship examinations in August, the Sunday Observer learns.
Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma told the Sunday Observer that it was too early to say whether the examinations could be held on schedule or they will be postponed. He said they are hoping to arrive at a decision by June 10.
“Holding national examinations amid the Covid-19 is not possible. Hence, we are awaiting the response of the health authorities,” he said.
The Education Ministry will hold discussions with the health authorities on June 8 and after several rounds of discussions will arrive at a decision.
The final decision when to reopen the schools and whether to conduct the GCE Advanced level and Grade 5 scholarship exams as scheduled on the dates as it announced earlier will be taken at the discussion, the minister said. Reopening schools and conducting the GCE Advanced Level and Grade 5 scholarship examinations had been the main topic last week at the Cabinet meeting, headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The Education Minister had told the Cabinet that schools cannot be reopened until the health authorities grant permission.
The Examination Commissioner General Sanath.B.Pujitha said the dates for the GCE Advanced Level and Grade 5 examinations have not been finalised. “We still don’t have a final examination time table for the GCE Advanced Level. There is no truth in the document that this year’s Advanced Level Examination timetable is circulating on social media.
He called upon the public including students to act responsibly and go by the official announcements issued by the Education Ministry and the Examinations Department.