A/L paper marking:
Tough line on teacher unions
Dharma Sri Abeyratne
COLOMBO: The Department of Examination took a tough stand
yesterday on teacher unions disrupting the evaluation of A/L answer
scripts by warning of arrests of saboteurs.
“Any person who disrupts the marking process or any other examination
duties can be taken into custody under the powers vested into the
Commissioner General of Examination by the Examination Act Number 25 of
1968,” Department sources said.
According to these sources, those disrupting the scrutiny of answer
scripts could be arrested without a warrant and be kept in remand
custody for 14 days under the power vested in the Commissioner General
of Examination by the Examination Act.
The paper marking process commenced on Monday at 83 marking centres
throughout the country. The process is scheduled to be carried out in
three stages. In the first stage 33 centres have been selected for
evaluation. Thereafter 28 centres have been picked for marking in the
second stage while the third stage will figure 22 paper marking centres.
On the advice of the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, the
Commissioner General of Examination has taken steps to provide Police
protection to paper marking centres aiming to ensure a smooth process.
The Commissioner has been advised to implement the provisions of the
Examination Act against any person or group who engages in disruptive
acts.
Further the Examination sources pointed out that the decision of some
teachers unions to boycott the paper marking is not an industrial
dispute. The paper marking process is carried out by an agreement
between the Commissioner General of Examination and the teachers.
Meanwhile, Examinations Department sources said if the A/L paper
marking cannot be completed within the stipulated period, it would
affect the G.C.E O/L examination for which preparations begin next
month. It would also affect the release of results of the Year 5
Scholarship Examination. |