National School A-L student transfer stopped

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Education Ministry has stopped the transfer of Advanced Level students from National Schools, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

The minister addressing the media yesterday said A-L student enrollment to a National School from another National School has been prevented by a ministry circular issued recently.

"Provincial school students will also not be allowed to transfer if the desired Advanced Level stream is available in the school where the student is studying," he said. Education Ministry Secretary H M Gunasekara said disciplinary action will be taken against Principals who violate the guidelines of the 2012/14 circular. The Education Ministry earlier issued three circulars regarding student enrollment for the Advanced Level.

The circulars 2008/17, 2008/17(1) and 2008/17(11) will not be null and avoid from the new circular, he said. All heads of the education sector have been informed about the provisions of the new circular by the Education Ministry, Gunasekara said.

The minister said equal benefits and educational environment are available at all National Schools.

"If A-L students transfer among National Schools, it will become an obstacle for clever students of Provincial Schools to enter a National School," he said.