Ranil lashes out at those handling Z-score issue

The Z score crisis had reached catastrophic proportions due to the "malicious and lackadaisical manner" with which the problem had been handled by the relevant government institutions, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday.

Wickremesinghe making a special statement said people’s confidence in the free education and examination systems had been eroded and it was the responsibility and duty of one and all to apply pressure on the government to rectify the injustice caused to the children.

Full text of the statement: "We are aware that, owing to the improper and erroneous procedure followed over the Z-Score issue it has now created a multitude of complications. We initially requested to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee on this matter and resolve the problem also with the assistance of all academics and experts. However, the Government failed to do it.

Later certain parties brought this issue before the Court seeking justice. The Court made a ruling on the matter. Still, even subsequent to the delivery of the Court Order, the relevant institutions acted in a malicious and lackadaisical manner. For this reason, some persons had even to make further explanations before the Court.

Nevertheless, the most important factor to be taken into consideration among all these occurrences is that a grave injustice has been caused to a number of children, who sat for the Advanced Level Examination, as a result of the continuous arbitrary actions on the part of the Government with regard to the Z-Score. There appears to be no sign of reaching a practical solution on the matter. Therefore, the children have fallen out of the frying pan into the fire. Their future prospects are blurred.

The hopes and confidence reposed on the free education and the examination system have been shattered.

It is the responsibility of us all to save our children from this situation. It is the duty of us all to apply pressure on the Government to rectify the injustice caused to those children.

With that objective in mind, I seek answers to the following questions from the Minister. (1)Separately and according to each faculty, what is the number of students qualified for admission to University based on the Z-Score issued initially? (2)Separately and according to each faculty, what is the number of students qualified for admission to University based on the Z-Score issued following the Court decision? (3)Separately and according to each faculty, what is the number of students qualified for the Universities as per (1) above, but were disqualified under (2) above? And (4)What are the steps to be followed to dispense justice to the students who have become so disqualified."

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