Z-Score of A/L results: SC fixes 13 Feb. to support rights Petition

By S.S.Selvanayagam

 The Supreme Court yesterday (2) fixed for support on February 13 the rights petition challenging the application of an alleged erroneous and unjustifiable formula to calculate the Z-Score of the candidates of the G.C.E.(Advanced Level) Examination held in August 2011.

The matter came up before the Bench comprising Chief Justice Shirani A.Bandaranayake, Justices N.G.Amaratunga and K.Sripavan.

 Sixteen G.C.E (Advanced Level) Students along with Ceylon Teachers’ Union filed the fundamental rights violation petition citing Commissioner General of Examinations W. M.N.J. Pushpakumara, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene, Peradeniya University Prof. R.O. Thattiland the Attorney General as Respondents.

 J.C.Weliyamuna appeared for the Petitioners. Senior State Counsel Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.

 Petitioners complain by this purported erroneous and unjustifiable application has caused a gross distortion of the examination results.

 They allege that one or more or all of the Respondents have violated their fundamental rights to equality and equal protection of the law.

 They seek the Court to declare that all the results issued with respect to the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination 2011 are null and void and that the results of the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination 2011 released on or around 25-12-2011 and/or the Z-Scores contained therein, which have been calculated by considering the two syllabuses (New syllabus and old syllabus) as a single population, are null and void.

They are asking the Court to direct that the Z-Scores of the candidates of the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination 2011 be calculated according to the accepted statistical norms and principles, and to calculate the Z-Score of a subject on the premise that the new syllabus and the old syllabus are two distinct populations.

 They are also asking the Court to direct anyone or more of the Respondents to reissue the results of the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination 2011 to all the candidates after correcting the errors as regards the Z-Score and/or other shortcomings.

 They are seeking the Court to make an appropriate interim order suspending any further step/s taken by anyone or more of the Respondents and/or any other authority with respect to the results of the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination 2011, including the university admission, until the final determination of this Application.

 They are asking the Court to make order calling for all the documentation, records and reports pertaining to the calculation of the Z-Score contained in the official results of the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination 2011 released on or around 30-12-2011 and to award compensation to the Petitioners as determined by the Court.