GCE O/L Maths paper :

Exams chief assures justice

Special emphasis would be focussed on the new syllabus Mathematics II paper when answer scripts are scrutinised

The new syllabus Mathematics II question paper of the ongoing GCE O/L examination will be evaluated in a manner that no injustice would be caused to those who sat that paper, Examination Department sources revealed yesterday.

Sources said a question was repeated erroneously causing difficulty to students in their answer scripts.

The Education Ministry in consultation with the Examination Department yesterday assured that special emphasis would be focussed on the new syllabus Mathematics II paper when answer scripts are scrutinised.

The Ministry probed into complaints by a number of parents and teacher unions over the problem the students faced in answering the new syllabus Mathematics II question paper.

The Ministry said the Commissioner General of Examinations who was notified on this issue had informed the Ministry that instructions relating to the evaluation of answer papers would be given according to the marking evaluation policy decided by skilled groups in the subject in question after evaluating a sample of answer papers from all parts of the country as done in the previous years.

“This is a ritual practised annually with regard to each question paper,” sources added.

Parents and several Teachers’ Unions alleged that the new syllabus Mathematics II question paper introduced for the first time, caused a panic situation to the students.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union said the time given to answer the paper was only two hours.

But the Examinations Department said the question paper was meant to evaluate the skills of students and was a mode meant for students as a challenge to meet the allocated time.

The union which claimed an injustice had been caused to students who sat this paper requested the Examination Department to cancel it and provide students to face a new question paper