President fetes best O-L students

Chaminda PERERA

The government yesterday recognized over 134 students who performed outstandingly at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination last year. These students received certificates and gift packs including a pass book with a deposit of Rs 5,000 from President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat.

The Principals and teachers of the respective schools were also present.

W H Yashoda Vithanage of Visakha Vidyalaya was placed all island first place at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination last year while R Mohammed Atilf of Maliyadeva Vidyalaya, Kurunegala was placed all island second place.

Vithanage who became all island first lauded President Rajapaksa for recognizing the exceptional performances of students who sat for the G.C.E. O/L students last year.

She said that recognizing the outstanding performance of the students will help encourage them to ascend greater heights in the field of education.

Vithanage noted that the students are blessed with a Head of State who focus on the improvement of the education sector in the country.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that 62 percent of students who sat for the G.C.E Ordinary Level examination last year qualified for the Advanced Level compared to the number of students who qualified for Advanced Level in 2006.

The Minister said that 62 percent of students passed mathematics last year compared to 42 percent recorded in 2006 due to the Government’s immense focus on the improvement of education sector.

Over 47 percent of students passed English subjects last year as against 36 percent recorded in 2006. The Minister said the

Government declared year 2009 as the year of English and Information Technology and launched a number of programs to improve English knowledge among the school students.