607 Grade-5 scholarship students failed sit the test in Vanni

(August 19, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Due to the massive displacement and continuing artillery fire by the Sri Lanka military, 607 ten year old, Grade-5 students from Vanni, who registered to sit the scholarship test, failed to appear for the test that was held on Sunday, 17 August 2008. The absentee numbers were obtained from the Zonal Education divisions in Vanni.

The large scale absence for the scholarship test was also caused by the frequent shifting of the test centers as the schools too were forced to displace many times over a few weeks. This caused massive administrative problems in informing the students of the change of locations of the test centers.

Grade-5 students put a great deal of effort to obtain good grades in this scholarship test, since this is the first public test they sit. Failing to do the test will be very disappointing not only to the students but also to the parents. - Sri Lanka Guardian