Supreme Court approves new circular for school admissions

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday approved the new circular for school admissions and ordered that this be forwarded speedily to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for further action.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath. N. Silva PC, Justice Raja Fernando and Jagath Balapatabendi. The Supreme Court earlier this year rejected the hitherto adopted circular on the basis that it was open to fraud. A Committee was appointed under the Chairmanship of the Presidential Secretary to draft a new circular assisted by Past pupils,Parent bodies and representatives of Principals, Organisations under the guidance of the Supreme Court.

In terms of the new circular all Grade One applicants for 2008 will have their names published in the national newspapers and thereafter summoned for interviews from August 15 to September 5. Admission of students will take place from December 1. Thereafter, applications for admissions will be entertained until May 31 with a June 30 deadline for closing applications. Applicants will have to state their preference for two National schools and four other Government schools.

Applicants are required to send copies of these applications to the preferred schools. The selections will start on September 15.There will be a Management Board that will screen the applicants .

The Board will comprise two past students of the schools applied for, two other members who are members of the School Development Society who are not past students or teachers of the respective schools, the school Principal or his nominee, the Regional Director of Education and a respected individual in the area not involved in active politics.