Closing date for university admission applications extended

• Extension needed as reopening date of schools unknown
• O/L results to be released before end April
• Calls for encouragement of e-learning 
• Minister says Mahapola funds in trouble as Treasury cash strapped and no sale of lotteries

Applicants have been given an extension to the closing date for university applications, and now have up to two weeks from the reopening date for Government schools to submit their applications, officials said yesterday.

The decision to do so was announced by Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation Minister Bandula Gunawardana at a press briefing held yesterday, where he said the Ministry along with the University Grants Commission (UGC) had made the decision taking into consideration difficulties faced by students, given the current situation in the country.

“The students have to submit certain school certificates, and there were concerns regarding the submission date and how these certificates can be obtained on time,” Gunawardana said, adding that this was a key reason for extending the submission deadline. While the closing date for applications was previously 9 April, the extension takes into account the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of schools, which was to take place on 20 April. Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma explained that given the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, it was impossible to make predictions about the reopening of schools, especially on 20 April as planned. In addition to this, Mahapola scholarships have been awarded to students, although there were certain delays. The deposits are usually made during the middle of the month but were delayed until the very end of March.

“A portion of the Mahapola Scholarship is from the Development Lotteries Board, and the sale of lotteries has halted completely. The remaining portion of the fund is around Rs. 200 million a month from the Treasury, which is also facing monetary setbacks by going into a Vote on Account,” Gunawardana explained.

Distance learning has also been given prominence in the country, and students have been provided the facilities to continue their studies on e-platforms with no additional costs. This has been made possible due to partnerships with several State and non-State organisations.

According to Alahapperuma, this was an opportunity to encourage e-learning and self-learning among students. Speaking about the Grade Five Scholarship exam and the Advanced Level exam, the Education Minister said no decisions have been made regarding the postponement of the examinations, but that decisions will be made so as not to put added pressure on students.

Ordinary Level results, which were to be released at the end of March, will be released before 30 April, he said. “The Ordinary Level exam results were due to be released during the last week of March. However, given the situation in the country, there was no way to do this. By now, all test papers have been examined,” he said, adding that a few processes like entering marks to the database and ensuring 100% accuracy of the marks will be completed in the upcoming weeks.

In addition to this, two television channels will be dedicated entirely to the country’s schooling population, and Alahapperuma said the channels will be launched on 20 April. 

“At the Cabinet meeting [held yesterday], the Education Minister made a request for a separate channel just for school students,” he said, adding, “Accordingly, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation-owned Channel Eye and Nethra TV will be converted into educational channels for students.”