UGC gives undertaking:

No university admissions until Z’ score issue is sorted out

The University Grants Commission (UGC) yesterday gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court that until the issues concerning the Z score are sorted out, it would refrain from admitting students to the universities and also not to initiate any steps regarding student admissions.

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights Application filed by 33 students who sat for the GCE (AL) in 2011.

The Bench comprised of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake,Justice K.Sri Pavannd Justice S.I.Imam.

The Chief Justice observed that the UGC has not acted according to the Supreme Court directive. She further observed that due to the wrong doings on the part of the UGC authorities the trust placed in the examination system is subject to disintegration.

When the court ruling directed to calculate the Z score of students of both new and old syllabuses separately, the UGC contrary to the ruling had calculated the Z score of both syllabuses as one. Thereby the UGC has committed a glaring mistake.She further queried from the Attorney General whether the UGC has acted according to the earlier Supreme Court ruling.

Attorney General Palitha Fernando submitted that by way of discussions with the stakeholders, a speedy solution to the current issue is sought.

Attorney at Law Faiz Musthafa PC appearing for the UGC submitted that new admissions to the universities are held in October every year. Attorney at Law Saliya Peiris also appeared for the petitioners.