EDU. MIN. LACKS UNDERSTANDING ON CUT-OFF MARK

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Education lacks a clear understanding on the cut-off marks of the 2020 Grade 05 scholarship examination, which have risen exponentially, Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardena alleged on Monday (Jan. 18). The cut-off marks for several popular schools for the 2020 Grade 05 scholarship examination are set as follows: - Royal College Colombo - 193 - Dharmaraja College Kandy - 192 - Ananda College Colombo and Maliyadeva Boy's College - 191 - Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo - 194 - Devi Balika Vidyalaya Colombo and Maliyadeva Girl's College -191 - Mahamaya Girls' College Kandy - 190 - Seevali Central College in Ratnapura - 186 - Horana Thakshila Central College and Maliyadeva Adarsha Maha Vidyalaya in Kurunegala - 185 Further, the cut-off marks of the 2020 Grade 05 Scholarship Exam at other popular national and provincial schools across the country have risen compared to previous years. Commenting on the matter at a media briefing, Minister of Trade - Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said the Ministry of Education, Subject Minister, and the Education Secretary lacks a clear understanding on the cut-off marks. If a student scores 35 marks each for the two parts of the examination and manages to score above 70 marks, the student is considered to have passed the Grade 05 scholarship examination, Minister Dr. Gunawardena said. "When I was the Education Minister, a certificate was issued to every student who scored above 70 marks as they had passed the exam," Minister Gunawardena further pointed out. As such, Minister Gunawardena questioned who calculates the cut-off marks, based on what formula they do so; adding the method of calculation of the cut-off mark is yet to be revealed. "If the cut off mark is decided based on the needs of a political component that influences the Ministry of Education or the Ministry officials, that would be unfair to the students," Minister of Trade, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena stressed. Minister of Education Prof. G.L. Peiris failed to provide a definite answer to the allegations of Minister Gunawardena; however, said the government will work collectively. Thereafter, responding to a question raised by a journalist on 'Why the cut off marks were increased in this manner', Education Minister Prof. Peiris said it is a minor concern that changes every year. A group of parents staged a protest opposite the Isurupaya in Battaramulla on Monday (Jan. 18) against the decision to increase the cut off marks of last year's Grade 05 scholarship exam.