Performanance of Tamil medium Muslim schools in the Matara district in mathematics and science & technology at the 2004 and 2008 G.C.E. (O.L) examinations

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.