The Department of Examinations has announced that paper marking for the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will resume next week, from 8 to 12 January. This follows a Supreme Court ruling on the controversy surrounding the examination.
The paper marking process had been suspended after an interim injunction was issued by the Supreme Court in response to petitions from a group of parents. The parents, whose children sat for the examination last year, claimed injustice after three questions from one paper were leaked.
Initially, the Ministry of Education had announced that three free marks would be granted for the leaked questions. However, the parents rejected this solution, leading to a legal challenge.
Concluding the hearings, the Supreme Court ruled that awarding three free marks violated the fundamental rights of the students. The Court directed the ministry to address the issue based on recommendations from a committee that investigated the leak.
In line with the committee’s suggestions, the Ministry of Education decided to award full marks for the three leaked questions—a solution accepted by the parents.
Commissioner General of Examinations, Amith Jayasundara, confirmed the revised marking schedule, ensuring the process will proceed without further delays.
