Abstract:
High performance in the disciplines of mathematics and science & technology is a
prerequisite for regional and national development. The performance in these two
disciplines in the Tamil medium Muslim schools in the Matara district, Southern province
is comparatively low in terms of the percentage of students passing these two disciplines
and qualifying to do G.C.E (A/L) Examination.
A study was undertaken to ascertain the performance of the Muslim schools in the
Matara district with reference to mathematics and science & technology and the percentage
of students qualifying for G.C.E.(A/L) in the Science stream. The methodology adopted
was in accordance with the criteria used by the Ministry of Education to determine the
students qualifying to proceed to G.C.E.(A/L) in the science stream. The circular number
2004/18 of the Ministry of Education was used as the principal criteria. A 100% sample of
all Muslim schools in the Matara district was subjected to the study.
Results showed that out of a total of 284 students who sat for the G.C.E.(O/L) in the
Tamil medium in the Muslim schools in 2004 in the district, only 26% qualified to proceed
to G.C.E.(A/L) in the science stream leaving a very high percentage of (74%)
unqualified. In 2008 only 33.0% in science and technology, and 42.0% in mathematics
passed the GCE (O.L) Examination indicating, although there is an improvement in the
student performance it is only marginal. The oldest school in the Southern province,
Annoor M.B.V. which is located in Weligama, in the district of Matara (142 years in 2009)
has produced only 24.0% passes in science and technology and 33.0 % passes in
mathematics in the 2008 GCE (O.L) Examination.
Similar trends can be identified in the adjacent districts of Galle and Hambantota in
the Southern Province.
It appears that cumulative factors are responsible for the poor performance at the
national examination in these two disciplines.
