New system for students to gain eligibility after paper recorrections

Two separate Cabinet decisions have helped the University Grants Commission (UGC) to expedite the enlisting of new students from this year’s onwards, UGC Chairman Sampath Amaratunge told the Sunday Times. One of the decisions taken was for a new system for students to enter university after the re-correction of papers gives them the eligibility to enrol in university. In contrast to the previous system where the entire Z-score was adjusted, under the new system a student will be eligible to gain university entrance due to the adjustment of their results.

Prof. Amaratunge said adjusting the entire Z-score was a cumbersome process and takes time thereby delaying the entry process. The Cabinet also approved the decision to digitalise and simplify the university entrance process. Instead of burdening the students, the UGC will obtain the certification from the relevant institutions. Accordingly the students need not get certification from their school where the principal has to certify that the student followed the GCE A/L stream and sat for the A/L exams through the school. Instead the UGC will receive the confirmation from the respective schools.

The UGC will also link with the database of the Registrar of Persons and Elections Commission database to verify the residential area. It will also obtain confirmation from the Examinations Department about the A/L results. Accordingly the university admission process has been expedited enabling the resumption of academic activities in a short period, Prof. Amaratunge said. Meanwhile, the UGC has also made arrangements to begin an English language programme for new entrants soon after they complete registration. The classes will be conducted via Zoom for a four month period. The undergraduates will be able to continue their English education programmes throughout their study period.