Scrutiny of Grade 5 Scholarship answer scripts suspended due to ongoing investigations: Ministry

Colombo, September 20 (Daily Mirror) - The scrutiny of answer scripts for the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination has been suspended due to the ongoing investigations into the leak of the first paper in Anuradhapura, Education Ministry Secretary J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara said.

Addressing the media she said the President and the Education Minister have ordered a re-examination of the Grade 5 Scholarship, following a report from the Examinations Department and CID investigation.

An investigation has been launched by the relevant departments into the first paper of the recently held Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, the secretary said.

According to the Examinations Act, the 2024 Grade 5 exam was conducted properly. However, the Ministry cannot make any decisions until the investigation reports are received, she said.

If it is proven that the first paper has been leaked, a re-examination may be held. The Examination Commission is taking disciplinary action against those involved in leaking the paper before the exam date.

The exam results will not be released until the investigations are completed. The scrutiny of answer scripts has also been suspended. If the leak had affected the students, the exam may have to be held again. Parents and students are requested to be patient until the investigations are concluded.

Preliminary investigations by the North Central Provincial Education Department revealed that an assistant invigilator had shared photos of the first question paper with a social media group of private tutors before the exam began.

Around 100 parents have filed complaints with the Anuradhapura Police Headquarters, asking for the exam to be re-held.