The Ministry of Education has announced that marking of the Grade 05 Scholarship Examination answer scripts will be temporarily suspended until the investigation into the exam paper leak is completed.
Education Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara told the media today, that paper marking will be temporarily halted until the conclusion of the investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Thilaka Jayasundara said that the Ministry together with the Examinations Department will take a final decision after taking into consideration the preliminary probe reports of the Examination Department and the CID in this regard.
The Education Ministry Secretary noted that if the investigations prove that the question paper had been leaked, then there was a possibility for the Scholarship Examination to be held again, but such a decision will only be taken based on the findings of the ongoing probes.
She revealed that the President and Education Minister have instructed the Education and Exam Department officials to act on the recommendations and findings of the two probes.
Thilaka Jayasundara added that based on the investigation findings stringent action will be taken against those involved in the alleged leak of the examination paper.
The Grade 05 Scholarship Examination was held last Sunday (Sep 15), but questions similar to those on paper one of the exam had been provided at a tuition class a few days prior to the exam and had also been circulated on social media.
Several parents had notified the Education Ministry in this regard after which probes were launched by the Examination Department and the CID into the matter. (Newswire)