For University entrance:

English test mandatory

Students entering Universities on the results of the 2010 GCE Advanced Level Examination will be given a three-month English, computer and human skills development training course.

The Higher Education Ministry will conduct a special examination to test their level of English knowledge prior to the course, said Ministry Secretary Dr Sunil Jayantha Navaratne.

He said a General English question paper will be made compulsory for students sitting the Advanced Level Examination from this year on a proposal made by Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake. Dr Navaratne said sitting this paper will be compulsory to gain entrance to Universities hereafter.

Those who do not sit this paper will not be entitled to gain University entrance.

Students will be graded according to their English knowledge on the basis of this paper and divided into groups to follow the English course. Dr Navaratne said students who do not have an English teacher at their school should also answer this paper after indicating the absence of an English teacher in the answer paper.

Minister S B Dissanayake has requested Principals and Education Department officials to create an awareness among students about this English paper and encourage them to sit for it.