By Sarah Hannan  Last year had several setbacks in all of our lives, and one of the most nerve-wracking ones could be the milestone examinations that schoolchildren had to face. The emergence of the second wave of Covid-19, that still continues to record cases connected to the Sri Lankan lineage of the Covid-19 variant, forced the Ministry of Education Department of Examinations to seek counsel from the Ministry of Health on the possibility of holding the examinations as scheduled.   However, considering the safety and wellbeing of the schoolchildren, milestone examinations such as the Grade Five scholarship examination and the GCE A/L examination were postponed. Similarly, the GCE O/L examination had to be postponed as well since most schools were not allowed to re-open, and with schools in the Western Province in particular having to rely on distant education methods.   Ideally, the GCE O/L examination is held through the month of December. However, due to various pandemic-led reasons, the examination was postponed to be held in March this year.   The first term for this year, therefore, will have a two-week mid-term break to hold the examinations.   The Sunday Morning contacted the Commissioner General of Examinations Sanath Pujitha to inquire on the measures they have in place to host these examinations that are scheduled to take place from 1-10 March.  “In preparation for the examinations, we held workshops for the invigilators, as well as the support staff who will be involved in facilitating the examinations and handling the candidates. All these workshops were completed by the third week of February,” he said.   Pujitha also noted that candidates who will be sitting for the O/L Examination were given the opportunity to resolve any issues with their examination admission cards directly through the website of the Department of Examinations. Moreover, private candidates who had not received their admission cards through post were given a link to download their admission cards as well.  “This time, students did not need to visit the Department of Examinations to rectify their names, subjects, or language in their admission cards. Instead, they were able to visit the Department’s website and make those changes. For school candidates, we provided the principals of the respective schools with the login details so they could make any necessary changes to the candidates’ admission cards,” Pujitha said.   A total of 622,305 candidates from across the country will sit for the examination, with a total of 4,513 centres accommodating the 423,746 school candidates and 198,606 private candidates during the period of examination.  The examination centres will be co-ordinated through 542 co-ordinating centres. 

Exams at treatment centres   

Additionally, 40 special centres have been set up covering all districts, for Covid-19-infected candidates to sit for examinations whilst receiving treatment.   Necessary arrangements have already been made to ensure the health of the children in consultation with the principals, public health inspectors, and regional health officers.   Given that the Colombo District is still recorded to have the highest number of infections, Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasarathna stated earlier last week that two wards at the Navagamuwa Hospital have been set aside to accommodate students under quarantine who are sitting for the exams in the coming 10 days, since they might contract the virus whilst facing the examination.   “Students that are warded at the Navagamuwa Hospital will have an examination centre set up at the hospital premises, so they do not have to travel to their designated examination centre,” Yasarathna elaborated.  

Results by June 

The results of the GCE O/L examination, scheduled to be held from 1-10 March, are expected to be released by June, Minister of Education G.L. Peiris said.  Speaking further on the topic, the Minister said: “Our main objective is not to waste the precious youth of the country’s children. We are ready to face all the challenges that come in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic so that we can continue our education. If all goes according to schedule, the students will be admitted to A/L classes from July onwards.” 

DGHS instructions to parents and candidates  

Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, in light of the upcoming examinations, had shared an update on the additional measures that were in place for conducting examinations amidst the pandemic to the Ministry of Education Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera.   Additionally, Dr. Gunawardena had also shared the following healthcare guidelines that parents and the students should adhere to during the examination period.   For parents/guardians 

1. If the child is having symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 such as fever/cough/sore throat during the exam period, obtain advice from the area Medical Officer of Health (MOH) 

1. If the child tests positive for Covid-19 or is under quarantine, do adhere to the guidelines and instructions issued by the areas Public Health Inspector (PHI) and MOH 

1. If the parent/guardian is under quarantine and is having difficulty arranging transport for the child to the examination hall, do inform the Divisional Secretariat or the school principal for support 

For candidates sitting for the examination

1. Provide accurate contact details to the school principal/PHI/MOH 
2. Follow instructions given by the school/MOH office regarding Covid-19 prevention: 
   1. Adhere to respiratory etiquette (cough or sneeze to the inner side of your elbow) 
   2. Regularly wash hands, properly using soap and water/use sanitiser 
   3. Wear the mask correctly to cover your nose and mouth 
   4. Maintain physical distance and ensure that a distance of at least a metre is kept between yourself and other 
   5. Do not gather in crowds in common areas; at the entrance of the examination centre, registration desk, hand washing station, or canteens 
   6. Do not eat together or share your meals with the others. Maintain physical distance when having meals as well 
   7. Bring necessary stationery with you 
   8. Do not unnecessarily hang around the examination centre before or after the examinations 
3. Inform the invigilator if you happen to develop any symptoms relating to Covid-19 during the examination such as fever/cough/sore throat. (The invigilator is to then inform the PHI/MOH/school principal immediately to make necessary arrangements) 
4. Candidates experiencing fever/respiratory illnesses are instructed to wear the mask at all times and sit for the examination at the isolation room reserved for them 
5. If a student is identified to be positive for Covid-19, the student will be transferred to a hospital/treatment centre and they will be able to sit for the examination from the hospital or the treatment centre that they have been admitted to. (Students are allowed to take their study material with them if they are sent to a hospital or treatment centre)