By Dwayne Ferreira.
The Medirigiriya exam incident saw a principal and teacher removed from A/L examination duties after officials found them intoxicated.
A Medirigiriya exam incident has resulted in a school principal and a teacher being removed from Advanced Level (A/L) examination duties after officials found them under the influence of alcohol.
The incident unfolded on Thursday morning while students were sitting one of the most important examinations of their academic careers. The exam supervisor, who serves as a school principal, and a coordinating officer attached to the Hingurakgoda Educational Zone were allegedly intoxicated while on duty at the examination centre.
Tip-Off Triggers Examination Centre Inspection
The Department of Examinations received a tip-off about suspicious behaviour involving officials assigned to the centre. An inspection team was subsequently sent to the Medirigiriya examination centre to investigate.
Officials who arrived at the venue conducted checks and confirmed that both the supervisor and coordinating officer were under the influence of alcohol.
North Central Province Director of Education S. M. W. Samarakoon confirmed that authorities immediately relieved both officials of their examination duties. Substitute staff were brought in to ensure students could continue their papers without further disruption.
“One of the individuals involved is a serving school principal, and the other is a teacher under the Hingurakgoda Educational Zone,” Samarakoon stated.
Medirigiriya Exam Incident Under Investigation
Education authorities have now launched a formal investigation into the Medirigiriya exam incident.
The Department of Examinations and provincial education authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the two officials.
Samarakoon said authorities would take strict disciplinary action under applicable public service guidelines once the investigation concludes.
