Thought for the day or Valentine’s Day Gift
A/L exam dates reviewed today
(Daily Mirror-07.02.2005)
A/Level exam put off for June 6
(Daily Mirror- 09.02.2005)
not because of
Students affected directly by the tsunami had experienced horrific incidents during the tsunami disaster and very difficult circumstances in its aftermath. These place a huge daily emotional and psychological burden upon students. Examples of these may be found below:The loss of family members (in some instances entire families), close relatives and people who support their education – with emotional, social and material consequences;The loss of homes and consistent shelter; still being moved around and no possibilities of regular study;Having to take on new roles as heads of their families, have to become breadwinners; have to take on responsibility for obtaining relief items for themselves and families (filling up forms and spending long periods of time waiting in queues to obtain relief items and food); having to make plans on behalf of family for shelter and livelihoods – all significantly time-consuming and burdensome tasks for a young adult.The loss of all educational materials (notes, handouts and books relevant to the past two years of study). Where students have been able to return to school, their lack of uniforms and shoes has often resulted in humiliation and penalization by principals and school teachers.Anticipation of the extremely competitive A/L examination with the fear that because of the disruption of their education and lives they will be at a disadvantage in relation to the other students who will sit the exam. This is a source of intense anxiety and worry.
(from, Postponement of A/L Exams for the Entire Country, An Open Letter to Secretary of Education Dr. Tara De Mel, By Concerned Citizens on Behalf of A/L Students)
Because of
According to exam officials, the primary concern was that students facing the June exam would know what questions not to expect, giving them a clear advantage over their colleagues. In addition, to this authorities were also running into problems of identifying students affected by the tsunami.
(Daily Mirror-09.02.2005)
Third Eye Local Knowledge and Skill Activists Group 14.02.2005
