Vaharai students miss GCE(OL)

[TamilNet, Monday, 11 December 2006, 12:29 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Department of Examination organized General Certificate of Examination (Ordinary Level) began Monday in about 3900 centers except in the three centers in Vaharai, Kathiraveli and Vammivedduwan located in LTTE held areas in Batticaloa district, education officials in the East said. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has refused to allow question papers and other related documents to be transported through Mankerni checkpoint from the co-coordinating center located in the government controlled Valaichchenai.

GCE O/L is the fifth public examination not held in Vaharai area since the outbreak of fighting.

Earlier Grade 5-scholarship examination conducted by the Department of Examination, Grade 9 examination held by North East Education Ministry, half yearly examination held by school authorities, and final year promotion examination conducted by provincial education ministry were also not held in Vaharai.

Department of Examination sources said the GCE O/L/ examination would be held in these centers on a later date.

About 377,000 candidates from schools and about 147, 000 privates are eligible to sit the examination.

Chronology: