Progression of selection rate of information and communication technology subject in GCE advanced level at Ampara district

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a requisite knowledge to meet this digital era. It facilitates human life in all areas and fields connected with our day to day life activities. Thus, the Sri Lankan government introduced ICT subject as a combination for all GCE Advanced Level (A/L) stream in the year 2011 and also introduced a new stream call Technology stream in 2015. This study tried to analyze the success state of these activities of government by measuring the interest of students in ICT subject selection and progression of selection of ICT as one of the main subjects on GCE A/L Examination at Ampara district. The data collected from relevant bodies of five (5) educational zones namely Akkaraipattu, Ampara, Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Thirukkovil, at Ampara district for this analysis. Through the analysis results, it was found out that the selection rate of ICT subject has a remarkable improvement in the year 2015 and it has a modest increase from the year 2015 because of the new arrival of Technology stream. Moreover, more than 60% of students are getting success in their ICT subject GCE A/L examination every year. In addition, the Engineering Technology students are more desirable to select ICT subject as a combination with other two (2) major subjects than the Biosystems Technology students. And also, it was found that more than 50% of technology stream students select ICT as one of the main subjects even though it is being one of the basket subjects with other ten (10) optional subjects. The analysis results enlighten that there is a fast progression in the selection of ICT subject in GCE A/L at Ampara District.