Grade 5 exam score reflects collapse of primary education - Stalin

Even after awarding free marks for three answers, the minimum score in the recent Grade Five scholarship examination results has dropped by ten points, reflecting the collapse of primary education in Sri Lanka, Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said.

He said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, a report was prepared under the leadership of Ms. Badra Withanage, the then Director of Education for All Branches of the Ministry of Education.

The report, titled "Foundation Skills and Essential Learning Skills Assessment Report 2023 on Literacy and Mathematical Abilities of Children Studying in Grade Three in Sri Lanka", revealed that only seven percent of students had acquired essential learning skills. 

Stalin claimed that a remedial teaching method was urgently needed for these children. The failure to implement such measures, he argued, has contributed to the decline in the Grade Five scholarship exam results.

“At that time, 332,231 Grade Three students were receiving education. A sample of 9,590 students was selected for this survey, conducted under the guidance of the National Teachers' Council and with support from UNICEF," Stalin said. "The sample selection was based on the methodologies of the Department of Population and Statistics and advice from Dr. Dharmawardena of that department."

Despite this critical report, Stalin criticised the neglect of its findings, pointing out that the education system continues to deteriorate. He also noted that the current Minister of Education has not taken responsibility for addressing these issues.

Although UNICEF provided substantial support for implementing teaching methods based on the report’s recommendations, only a meeting was held at the Galadari Hotel, Stalin highlighted.

"The report further highlighted that the skills outlined in the Essential Learning Skills curriculum had been overlooked. Additionally, it pointed out that over twenty percent of teachers working in primary education lack formal primary training, which is another significant problem," he said.

Stalin concluded by stating that the consequences of disregarding a report submitted by the Ministry of Education are now evident in the scholarship examination results.