The 2021 GCE Advanced Level Examination commences today.
The GCE Advanced Level examination is scheduled to be held today at 2,438 examination centres across the island.
A total of 345,242 candidates are scheduled to sit for the exam this year, including 279,141 candidates from schools and 66,101 private candidates.
Commissioner General of Examinations LMD Dharmasena speaking to NewsRadio said 2,438 exam centres and 316 coordination centres will function throughout the exam period.
The Commissioner General of Examinations noted 29 exam centres will be operational at hospitals for candidates infected with COVID-19.
He asked such candidates to take study material when visiting the hospital, adding they will have to get admitted and may not be able to go back home during the duration of the exam.
LMD Dharmasena added special exam halls will be operational for close contacts of COVID patients, at the existing exam centres.
Meanwhile, the Examinations Commissioner General requested candidates to take their National Identity Card, admission card, two face masks, sanitizer, water bottles and their meals, when going for the exam. He stressed stern rules are in place for the exam.
Dharmasena therefore urged candidates to refrain from taking electronic devices including phones and short notes for the exam.
He noted a special operation is in place to supervise if a candidate has cheated at the exam, adding if they are found to have cheated they will be banned for life.
He said candidates who cheated are also found during paper marking where all the students sitting around one student at an exam have passed the MCQ exam and failed the written test.
The Examinations Commissioner General added such candidates’ exam results were invalidated.
The Commissioner General of Examinations has issued a special notice for candidates sitting for the A/Level Exam, who have tested positive for COVID-19 and those in quarantine.
Accordingly based on directives issued for such candidates by the Ministry of Health at District Level, exam centres have been established at hospitals and intermediary treatment centres.
Such candidates must remain at the special exam centres for the duration of the exam. The Commissioner General of Examinations said all facilities have been provided for candidates to remain at the centre and sit for the exam.
The Commissioner General of Examinations stressed all candidates who test positive for COVID-19 can only sit for the exam at the special exam centres.
Candidates who are in quarantine during the duration of the exam must sit for the exam at the special hall at the exam centre stated on the admission card.
Commissioner General of Examinations LMD Dharmasena added they must inform the supervisor that they are undergoing quarantine.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education Professor Kapila Perera also made several special announcements to media regarding the 2021 GCE Advanced Level Examination that is due to commence today.
The Education Secretary requested candidates who suspect they are infected with the novel coronavirus to sit for the exam at special exam centres established at hospitals.
He noted candidates must remain cautious and strictly adhere to health guidelines. Professor Perera requested candidates who have symptoms of COVID-19 to follow the relevant health guidelines.
Meanwhile Professor Kapila Perera said the Education Ministry also made a request to refrain from imposing power cuts during the duration of the exam.
On a separate note the Education Secretary said school candidates who have not received the admission card must inform the principal, Zonal and Provincial Education Directors or contact the direct line provided to reach the Commissioner General of Examinations.
Professor Perera said if a school candidate does not have a National Identity Card they can obtain two photographs with their index number written at the back and signed by the principal, Zonal Education Director and the Grama Seva officer, to sit for the exam.
