News
Tutor’s model questions too close to the real thing
View(s):Pupils aware that exam Q/As ‘surface’ in this tuition master’s exercise | Leak of GCE (O/L) Science Paper 1
By Hansani Bandara
Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday conceded that the GCE (O/L) Science paper may have leaked to a tuition master, ahead of the examination. “Either he got these questions from someone involved in setting the questions or, from someone at the Dept of Examinations,” Mr Gunawardena told the Sunday Times.
Students of Asoka Vidyalaya in Maradana in a relaxed mood after sitting for the final paper
“When the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) report is submitted, we will take necessary action against the parties involved in this scam.” he said.
The CID is currently probing as to how 19 out of 40 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in the GCE (O/L) Science paper, were identical to those found in a model paper given by a popular tuition master, few days ahead of the examination.
The CID has questioned all the parties connected with the incident, including the particular tuition master, and the printers who printed the model paper.
The Sunday Times learns that the tuition master, Sampath Aththatage distributed the model paper containing 19 MCQs found in the original paper, to his students, days before the examination.
Against some of the questions in the model paper, emoticons were printed, heightening suspicion that this indicated to his students that these particular questions will appear in the original paper itself. A student from his tuition class said that pupils attending his class know that he gets questions from the original paper.
Teacher Services’ Union President Mahinda Jayasinghe said that education authorities must take total responsibility for the leak of this year’s GCE (O/L) Science paper.
“Out of the 40 MCQs of Science Paper I, 19 were leaked, and were there in the model paper given by this particular tuition master. When we repeatedly pointed out such instances at previous examinations, the authorities did not take any action, but condemned us for pointing them out. Had they taken immediate action, issues of such nature could have been averted.
The yellow shaded part shows the model paper distributed at the tuition class. The red lined area below it shows the identical question on the GCE O/L Science paper
“We urge the authorities to take immediate action against this tuition master, and adopt safeguardss to prevent such blunders in the future” he said. He said that, attempts by authorities to keep this leak a secret was not successful, as quite a lot of students and parents have revealed it to the media.
“The system of education is highly politicised. The present Commissioner of Examinations is a political appointee, and these are the actions that pave the way for such pitfalls in examinations” he said.
Adding that a letter sent by the Union to the Ministry of Education, urging the authorities to take immediate action with regard to this incident, has not received a proper response from the Ministry to date.
Minister not sure if paper is to be re-set
Minister Bandula Gunawardena said he is not sure whether students will have to sit the GCE (O/L) Science paper again, as investigations are still ongoing.
He said that the committee appointed on this subject will decide whether the exam will have to be repeated.
He further added that, all possible measures will be taken by the committee, without any injustice to students, to recommend the best possible solution to be implemented, as this is a matter of just 19 marks.
O/L paper leak:Tuition master, typist remanded
Private tuition master Sampath Aththatage and a typist at the Examinations Department were today remanded till December 28 after they were charged in courts for allegedly leaking out a science question paper of the recently concluded G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination.
The duo was ordered to be remanded by the Kaduwela Acting Magistrate C. Colombage.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus