The low attainment level of the history subject at the G.C.E. (o/l) examination and its background: a study based on 1c schools in the Eravur Pattu division of the Batticaloa education zone

Abstract

Education is the most important device formulated by man to make himself perfect. At a time when history is forgotten and denied, it becomes necessary for everyone to discover and learn their history. It is the school education system that should serve as a motivation to initiate such concerns in history in everyone. However awareness on the subject of history, in respect of Batticaloa, is found to be very rare. In this context, this study is undertaken to find the attainment level of the subject of history in the 1C schools in the Eravur Pattu Division, identify the causes and recommend solutions. Various problems influence student learning and affect the attainment level. This study aims at raising the attainment level by finding the problems and recommending solutions. Four 1C schools from the Eravur Pattu Division were selected on the basis of random selection. When the attainment level of history subject is compared to that of other subjects, it has been found to be low. Subjectrelated ambiguity, teaching methods, qualification of teachers, students‘ environment, the mindset that the subject of history is difficult, lack of supervision, etc. are found to be the causes. The attainment level can be raised by appointing trained teachers, conducting extra practice classes for students, using novel teaching methodology, providing sufficient training to teachers, introducing techniques in teaching and developing the use of supplementary materials.