Minister of Education, Prof. G. L. Peiris said that the GCE Ordinary Level examination will be held as scheduled as steps are being taken to ensure that children’s education is not disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The examination which is held annually in December, will now be held from January 18-28 next year due to the pandemic.
“Steps will be taken together with zonal education officials to ensure that the student’s education continues unhindered despite the situation in the country,” Education Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera said. He said attention will be paid to other modes of teaching such as distance learning to ensure that the syllabi are covered. He said health measures will be taken if schools are reopened as scheduled on November 23.
The reopening of schools was delayed by two weeks due to the sudden spike in the number of Covid-19 cases that reached almost 13,000 yesterday (7). Prof. Perera discussed with education officials the possibility of reopening schools with 50 per cent attendance, ensuring social distancing.
The Ministry of Education is expected to develop its online education system and telecast educational programs to cover the third term syllabi.
The GCE Advanced Level examination which was held in keeping with health guidelines in 2,648 centres concluded on Friday. Over 360,000 students sat the examination and 568 were from quarantine centres.
The Ministry made facilities available for nearly 30 students under treatment for Covid-19 to sit the examination at the hospitals.
Twenty-seven students sat the examinationat the IDH, one at the Army Hospital in Panagoda and another at the Mulleriyawa hospital.
The government had earlier decided to increase the number of university admission by another 10,000 for the next intake.