The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education

¶ 01 On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, I answer as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Number of students who passed: - 2022: 48,403 - 2023: 50,843 - 2024: 51,443

¶ 03 (ii) Number from low-income families: - 2022: 19,851 - 2023: 19,866 - 2024: 19,848

¶ 04 (iii) The Examination will continue unchanged up to 2029. A committee is to be appointed in 2028 to review the conduct of the Examination beyond 2029. The Department of Examinations has been instructed to study and redesign question papers to reduce pressure on children, and its recommendations together with the above committee’s report will guide decisions after 2028.

¶ 05 (iv) Answer as per (a)(iii).

¶ 06 (b) (i) No, the Examination will not be immediately discontinued. Steps are being taken to gradually reduce disparities among schools and to reduce pressure on children from the Examination. Alternative options for school placement and student assistance for successful candidates are being introduced. The question of discontinuation after 2028 will be considered within the process outlined in (b)(iii).

¶ 07 (ii) Answer as per (b)(i).

¶ 08 (iii) Answer as per (a)(ii) and (i).

¶ 09 (c) Not applicable.

¶ 10 By way of clarification, up to 2028 the Department of Examinations is preparing a set of recommendations aimed at reducing exam-related pressure, especially regarding exam design.