Anuradhapura’s mock Grade 5 scholarship exam caused outrage after students received a paper with offensive language due to a printing error. Authorities launch investigation as parents and teachers demand accountability.
Teachers in the Anuradhapura education zone have raised serious concerns over a disturbing error in a scholarship mock examination paper that contained abusive language, causing distress among Grade 5 students on Monday, July 22.
The mock paper, meant to help students prepare for the national Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, was distributed to nearly 2,000 students across schools in the zone. It had been compiled by the Anuradhapura Zonal Education Office and passed on to school principals, who were responsible for printing and distributing the material.
According to teachers, students became visibly unsettled shortly after beginning the exam. Upon investigation, educators discovered several typographical mistakes, including the use of inappropriate and offensive words in one of the questions, specifically question number 29.
Following the incident, the Zonal Education Office acknowledged the mistake and took immediate steps to correct the errors. A revised version of the paper was reissued to the affected schools.
Lanka Teachers’ Union President Priyantha Fernando commented on the incident, stating that such negligence was unacceptable, especially when dealing with children at a primary education level. He said the presence of abusive language in an academic document intended for ten-year-old students was deeply troubling and damaging.
“These are primary-level children. Giving them a mock exam paper riddled with errors, especially one containing abusive language, is unacceptable,” Fernando said.
Meanwhile, K.M.H.S.K. Jayalath, Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Education, confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched. He assured that appropriate action would be taken once the inquiry is complete.
The error has sparked widespread concern among teachers, parents, and education officials, highlighting the need for stricter oversight in exam paper preparation and printing processes.
