Preface E - ReliefWeb

[Pages:60]Preface

Every child has the right to education, and other fundamental rights are dependent upon the realization of the right to education. Successive governments of Sri Lanka have continuously prioritized children's education. The General Certificate of Examinations - Ordinary Level (G.C.E. O/L) determines a child's quest to higher studies and potential career; crucial turning point in education. The effort and determination of children in qualifying the G.C.E. (O/L) examination is tremendous. Equally significant are the travails of the teachers and parents of the children. A decade of their schooling education is tested within a few days through this examination. Whilst the Department of Examinations and the Provincial Education Directors, provide all administrative support and facilities for the conducting the examination, it is crucial that an environment free of hazards and disasters are created for children to be safe and concentrate in doing their best at the examination. 717,008 candidates have registered for the examination this year with over 50,000 officials directly involved in conducting the examination in approximately 5600 centers. Their safety and security is of utmost importance. The frequent hazards and disasters experienced in Sri Lanka should not be detrimental to the conduct of the examination nor the future of the examination candidates. As a proactive measure, the Department of Examinations requested the expertise of the Disaster Management Center in supporting the endeavor of creating an environment, free of interruptions to the conduct of examinations. This is the first occasion where we have formerly planned and prepared for any eventualities in partnership with relevant authorities. I take pleasure in expressing my sincere gratitude to the Disaster Management Center and partner organizations in rendering their support in providing safety and security for the children, other candidates and the officials.

B. Sanath Pujitha Commissioner General of Examinations, Department of Examinations

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Table of Contents

Preface .............................................................................................................................................................. i Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................... ii

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1 2. Conduct of Examination .................................................................................................................... 1 3. National Examination Emergencies Operations Unit (NEEOps) ...................................................... 2 4. Objective .............................................................................................................................................. 3 5. Operational Guidelines for Examination Emergencies in Situations of Disasters.......................... 3

5.1 Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (DoE) .......................................................................... 3 5.2 Disaster Management Center (DMC) ......................................................................................... 4 5.3 Ministry of Defence (MoD) .......................................................................................................... 4 5.4 Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) and Tri Forces........................................................ 4 5.5 Sri Lanka Police and Special Task Force (STF) ............................................................................. 5 5.6 National Election Emergencies Operations Unit (NEEOps) ...................................................... 5 5.7 District Examination Emergencies Coordinating Office (DEECO) .............................................. 6 5.8 Department of Meteorology......................................................................................................... 7 5.9 Irrigation Department .................................................................................................................. 7 5.10 National Building and Research Organization (NBRO) ............................................................ 8 5.11 Civil Security Department (CSD) ............................................................................................... 8 5.12 Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) ............................................................... 8 5.13 Road Development Authority (RDA) ......................................................................................... 9 5.14 Electricity Supply ? CEB and LECO ............................................................................................ 9 5.15 Fire Brigade ? Local Government Municipalities ..................................................................... 9 5.16 1990 Ambulance Service- Suwaseriya ....................................................................................... 9 5.17 Disaster Preparedness and Response Division (DPRD) ........................................................... 9 6. Communications .......................................................................................................................................... 10 7. Administration and Logistics ...................................................................................................................... 10 8. Inclusivity of Children with Special Needs ............................................................................................... 10 9. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 10

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Annexes Organizational Structure of NEEOps ............................................................................................................... 11 North East Monsoonal Outlook ....................................................................................................................... 12 Forecast by Department of Irrigation ............................................................................................................. 13 Time Table of G.C.E O/L Examination ............................................................................................................ 16 Educational Divisions & Examination Coordinating Centers ......................................................................... 18 Educational Divisions & Examination Centers ................................................................................................ 19 Regional Collection Centers (RCC) ................................................................................................................... 20 National Examination Emergencies Operation Unit (NEEOps) Contact Details ........................................... 21 Emergency Contact List ..................................................................................................................................... 22 Emergency Services Contact Details ........................................................................ ...................................... 23 District Secretariat Contact Details .................................................................................................................. 24 Provincial Education Director's Contact Detail .......................................................... .................................... 26 Zonal Education Director's Contact Details ..................................................................................................... 26 Zonal Exam Coordinating Officer's Contact Details ....................................................................................... 29 Exam Coordinating Center Contact Details ..................................................................................................... 31 Officers- In- Charge ? Department of Examinations ...................................................................................... 49

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Foreword

The conduct of national examinations are annual routine events invariably during the cyclic months each year. However, the recent extreme weather patterns have caused concerns which require disaster preparedness and coordinated swift responses. An event where over a quarter of a million school children, private candidates and officials will engage in examinations countrywide utilizing over 5500 permanent structures as examination and coordinating centers require detailed planning and assessment. The Disaster Management Center (DMC) in liaison with the Department of Examinations is committed to ensure the uninterrupted conduct of examinations providing safety and security from hazards and disasters. Examination center safety and crisis response has been planned in partnership with governmental organizations and other stakeholders. The commissioning of the National Examination Emergencies Operations Unit (NEEOps) at the national level and the District Examination Emergencies Coordination Office (DEECO) at the district level for the period of examinations will enable the implementation of operational plan for examination emergencies. These guidelines will further enhance resilience of service providers contributing to the conduct of examinations. A coordinated preparedness and response mechanism will ensure the uninterrupted conduct of examinations which will allow to extract the fullest potential of the candidates. I thank all partner organizations involved in the preparation of this guideline. I am confident that the assigned entities will implement their respective operational plans in responding to any eventualities. DMC is committed in coordinating and facilitating the operational plans for the successful conduct of examinations.

Mr W A Dharmasiri Director General Disaster Management Center

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ACCESS TO EXAMINATIONS AMIDST DISASTERS

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCT OF EXAMINATIONS IN EMERGENCIES

1. Introduction

The Department of Examinations (DoE) will conduct the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (G.C.E. O/L) 2019 examination in Sri Lanka from 2nd to 12th December 2019. 717,008 candidates will sit for the examination across 4987 examination centers island-wide. 541 coordinating centers are in operation to manage the examination centers. For the period of the exams, 38 educational divisions have been established. Over 50,000 officials and invigilators are appointed to ensure the conduct of examinations. Evaluation of answer scripts will take place in two stages from 24th December 2019 to 2nd January 2020 and 17th to 26th January 2020.

School Candidates

Private Candidates

Total Candidates

Coordinating Centers

Examination Centers

433,050

283,958

717,008

541

4987

Sri Lanka had been ranked second among the countries most affected by extreme weather events within the past 20 years since 1998 in the Global Climate Risk Index 2019. Against this backdrop, it is imperative that disaster risk reduction measures are ensured through a coordinated mechanism in providing safety and security to school children, other candidates and officials involved in the conduct of this national examination. The Northeast monsoon that could generate intense rain, flooding, landslides and high wind are potential risks which can deny access, delay travel of candidates and disrupt facilities at examination centers. Further precautions against air hazard, lightening, fire, explosions, animal attacks and road accidents are other risks to be addressed.

2. Conduct of Examination

The Commissioner General of Examinations (CGE) will execute the G.C.E. O/L Examinations in liaison with the Provincial Director of Education (PDEs). 38 Educational divisions have been established in the 9 provinces for the purpose of conducting the examinations.

No.

Province

Educational Divisions

01 Western

Colombo, Sri Jayawardhanapura, Piliyandala, Homagama, Gampaha, Kelaniya, Negombo, Minuwangoda, Horana, Matugama and Kalutara

02 Southern

Galle, Matara and Tangalle

03 Sabaragamuwa Ratnapura and Kegalle

04 North Western Kurunegala, Nikaweratiya, Kuliyapitiya, Chilaw and Puttlam

05 North Central Anurdhapura and Polonnaruwa

06 Central

Matale, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

07 Uva

Badulla and Monaragala

08 Eastern

Ampara, Kalmunai, Batticaloa and Trincomalee

09 Northern

Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Jaffna I and Jaffna II

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541 Examination Coordinating Centers (ECC) will be directed by the above 38 educational divisions. These Examination Coordinating centers will provide the question papers to the supervisors of 4987 Examination Centers during the morning hours of each examination day. 33 Regional Collecting Centers (RCC) have been established for the collection of answer scripts without any interruptions which will be handed over by the respective ECCs at the end of each day. Safe and timely travel for the officials in transporting the question papers and answer scripts will be vital.

Whilst the examination will be directed by DoE, the implementation will be via the Provincial Educational Offices. Provincial Education Directors of the 9 provinces will have 99 Zonal Education Directors ensuring the operations of the 4987 examination centers.

Synergize Flow Chart

Department of Examinations

9 Provincial Education Departments

Regional Collecting Centers (33)

Coordinating Centers (541)

Examination Centers (4987)

717,008 Candidates

In preparation and execution of any emergencies during the period the examination, a coordinated effort will be essential. As such, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in liaison with Department of Examinations (DoE) has formulated this preparedness and response guidelines as a disaster risk reduction mechanism involving key stakeholders. The Examination Emergencies will be steered by the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of the DMC.

3. National Examination Emergencies Operations Unit (NEEOps) NEEOps will be operational from 28th November to 13th December 2019 at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Commissioner General of Examinations (CGoE) and Director General Disaster Management Center (DG - DMC) will Co-Chair NEEOps. Operational command will be Director of EOC - DMC and a representative of CGE.

Under the directive of the respective Government Agents/District Secretary, the twenty-five Assistant Directors of District Disaster Management Coordinating Unit (AD-DDMCU) will function as district coordinators of District Examination Emergencies Coordinating Office (DEECO). They will link with the thirty-eight educational division representatives. The 99 Zonal Education Directors will link with DEECO. These offices will be directly linked with NEEOps in Colombo.

3.1 Responsibilities;

? Coordinate and facilitate planning of examination emergencies; early warning mechanisms; and communications among essential service organizations in disasters during the period of examinations.

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