Schoolchildren will start attending Advanced Level (A/L) lessons as soon as the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination is concluded, Education Minister Dr Susil Premajayantha has said. During the four months after the GCE O/L exam, he explained, students engage in other activities and attend classes. However, with the new procedure, the student will continue to be focused on their education. Minister Premajayantha underscored the importance of initiating A/L classes before the announcement of O/L test results.
This would enable two groups of students to enrol concurrently in schools and ensure that space is managed by the principals to avoid any issues. The Minister also declared that a revolutionary shift in education is required and that the necessary adjustments are being implemented. The introduction of the English medium of instruction for the A/L science stream occurred in 2001. Approximately 500 schools, ranging from Grade 6 to A/L classes, currently offer instruction in English. The President had instructed that recently retired English medium teachers be hired for a three-year term, at last week’s meeting of the sub-committee on education reforms.
Minister Premajayantha added that present school instructors will also receive training in this regard. Whilst all 4.1 million students enrolled in government schools will receive equal access to education, the Minister said the 200 schools chosen for the implementation of education reforms and pilot projects will begin with the update of the syllabus with modules in Grades 1, 6, and 10 the following term. (NA)