The latest twist
in the tale of the Z score calamity is that a large number of students who personally
believe that their rights have been violated have filed complaints with the
HRC, hoping the latter would intercede on their behalf for them to obtain
justice.
Put simply, the
calculation of the Z score is only understood by a few experts in statistics,
whose baby it was. I was created to find a means to restrict entry into the
University, only for the places available. The cut off mark for each Type of
Degree, University and Faculty was simply done by way of the Z score one
received in the District where one sat the exam, to match places with entrants.
Once it was
proved that the previous calculation was flawed, a new calculation was done,
and that resulted in some students getting a higher Z score and others a lower
one. Of course those with the lower scores are the ones who feel their
fundamental rights to enter the University System in Sri Lanka has been
violated. They are therefore doing everything in their power to ensure that
they do not miss out on the coveted University place, and are therefore demanding
justice in light of their initial belief that they also entered University, and
now the dream is shattered!
The opposition
has demanded that these rights be granted, but in reality that may result in
4,000 additional students being admitted to University at the next intake. A further
complication arises over which University and faculty they should be admitted
to. Medicine, considered within the Bio Sciences Faculty; would they have
entered Medical College under the previous score, and should they therefore be
allowed to get into medical school despite the current score showing they
cannot enter? These are real issues to be resolved, which have no resolution to
date
On a broader
matter, A level results determine the direction a Sri Lankan student’s future.
Many mistakenly believe the better the score, the better their life chances
are, when in fact one’s opportunities and direction is determined by a whole
series of facts, with Z score being just one. It is important to keep this
balance in mind and not allow one’s whole mental well being to be destroyed due
to a result. It is easier to say, but there have been a few attempted suicides
of students who have received a lower score, and who have suddenly seen their
belief in a particular field of study being shattered. It is important that
when the authorities play with the lives of students they do not shatter their
belief in the Free Education system of Sri Lanka, which appears to have
happened lately. We must take measures to restore confidence in the Examination
system, by a sea change!! What is the that change?
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