With parents, students and those in the education sector up in arms over the blunders in the district and island level ranking of results of the Advanced Level, and confusion brewing over the formula of the Z-score, many have lost faith in the education system in the country.
The Mirror Magazine’s ‘Pollcat’s Lair’ this week opened out this discussion to our online readers. The following are the comments posted by our online readers. To join in the debate access the Pollcat’s Lair - at sundaytimes.lk/features
What has our education system come to ? How on earth did generations before manage without this Z-score system? But as usual life will go on -
Neela
The method used to calculate the Z score in 2011 is incorrect. When the mean value of two different student populations are not equal it is impossible to combine them and pool them together. The only statistically acceptable method of calculating the Z score under these circumstances is to calculate them separately by using respective means of the student population. By attempting to use a combination mean the entire Z score results have received a wrong and unacceptable Z score. The only solution is to calculate the Z scores separately for two examinations and release the entire A/L results using standard methodology. -
S Gunawardane
This whole Advanced level system is such a mistake. Huge numbers sit for the exam but not even half of that percentage make it into university because our universities can’t cope. In addition to that those who do get a degree are not properly equipped to be able to contribute to the working economy and they are without jobs. Without any previous work experience or knowledge of English they find it hard to get a white collar job in Colombo and get frustrated. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself.This whole education system needs a re-think.
To think we were once envied for our education system by other Asian nations!! -
sean
My heart goes out to all the student who’ve been dragged into this. The anxiety and heartburn of parents and students will not go away until this issue is resolved and for students who will be sitting this year it’s so disheartening -
Yohan |
E-mail
