State sector geared for optimum output – President
The government has strengthened and streamlined the state services to obtain the maximum benefit for the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
‘The state service therefore has to come forward with the true aim of serving the nation, fulfilling the aspirations of people, shedding its lethargic attitudes and work patterns which have hitherto drawn the ire of the public, the President said.
The President was addressing a ceremony, at Temple Trees yesterday to hand over appointment letters to 296 officers to the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) under the theme “Ensuring an excellent public service through sound national and regional administrative systems with competent human resources.”
Addressing the gathering, President Rajapaksa said 15,000 graduates will be recruited to the state service in the near future.
The District Secretaries would undertake the recruiting process. The government has also taken measures to hold placement examinations annually to fill the vacancies in the SLAS.
“State servants should not neglect the vital and pivotal role and responsibilities that come with their duty. Public servants are duty bound to serve the public since they are paid by the public,” he said.
Highlighting the value of state services, the President added that people, who come to public institutions to get their work done need more consideration and kind attention since these are helpless people with problems. “Therefore, the government servants should accord the utmost priority to serve the public, who are badly in need of kindness, care and attention”.
President Rajapaksa also recalled how at one time, on the advice of World Bank and IMF, steps were taken to bring down the number of public servants from 800,000 to 300,0000.
“During that time no vacancy was filled even though vacancies were available. But, this government took measures to fill these vacancies, even amidst the global economic crisis. As a result of this, the number of employees in the state sector had increased to 1.3 million,” the President said.
The President also said that in the past many public entities including several profit making ventures were privatized.
Of these privatized entities certain institutions were taken back by this people friendly government, such as, the Sri Lankan Airlines and Shell Gas company. Most of these entities, that were taken back have now become profit making ventures, President noted.
The President also stressed the need for government servants to fulfill public aspirations. “Fulfill your duty that you are bound to do first. Then, you, your village and your country will develop,” the President advised.
Courtesy: Daily News
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Unrecognized new formula, all steps in calculation, data entry and methodology used for calculation of Z- score are wrong in 2011 A/L examinations.
Examination results released as z-score results for 2011 A/L students is not a z score, A/L results were given in some other strange unrecognized score, result is a totally inaccurate and artificially created new kind of score. Legal provisions are to provide average Z score as A/L results for examination papers for which the student appeared as a candidate. Formula and steps taken to calculate Z score at 2011 A/L examinations are statistically inaccurate and fraudulent.
Advanced level students therefore have received wrong overall and individual results this time in the year 2011. Herewith they have attached the so called Z score formula and the steps used by the examination department in the year 2011 to calculate A/L results which was published in TV and Sunday Silumina newspaper.
Step 1 is inaccurate. Using a combined mean is wrong, statistically population mean from that particular student population need to be taken for correct analysis. Two different student populations have two different population means. That is the mean value obtained for each examination paper. Using a combine mean to produce A/L results is absolutely wrong methodology.
Step2 is also therefore incorrect, incorrect figures and an inaccurate method is used for calculation of standard deviation.
Combined mean cannot be used for calculation of results, combine mean is a figure from a totally different strange student population, and therefore final result is not the result of that particular student. Final result of the student has to come from the subjects and examination papers which the student has actually sat in the A/L examination. When a combine mean is used final Z score result come from an examination paper which the student has not even answered, which is wrong methodology. Therefore z-score result released does not reflect candidates performance, result is wrong and unacceptable. Result cannot be manipulated and modified by any means. Slightest manipulation or use of wrong methodology can give serious errors in overall examination results.
A/L Result given this time is that of a strange artificially formed student population as they have not used the correct student population mean. Final Z score result cannot be calculated from some other strange, incorrect mean, Z score figure obtained from anything other than the same population mean and same population standard deviation is totally incorrect. It is not the result of the particular student and it is also not a z score according to standard statistics. It is a totally new distorted score.
If the correct formula and correct methodology is used results would be legally acceptable. Results need to be prepared on the basis of mean and standard deviation taken for each examination paper, it is wrong to obtain raw marks for the “subject” for calculation of Z score. Raw marks need to be taken for each examination paper as there were “two different examination papers (including practicals)” for each subject, papers were different for new and old syllabi. Two different instruments and two different parameters were used for testing two different populations of students in the year 2011. Mean value need to be taken for each paper, mean value for each paper need to be obtained separately.
The term used in formula as standard deviation for the “subject” is not very clear that should be used as standard deviation for each examination paper. Student population “mean” for each group needs to be taken separately for the purpose of calculation of Z score, group 1 and group 2 receive respective z scores for their examinations, average Z score for three examination papers obtained for A/L examination is the final z score result. Process of Data entry needs to be based on two separate papers separately for two examinations.
Results cannot be manipulated, modified and distorted, average Z score for three subjects is the accurate result of each candidate. Z score results can be released separately and therefore the Island and district ranks on two separate lists which will be transparent and undisputed. It is up to the University Grant Commission to decide upon selection criteria on the basis of accurate ranks obtained by the students. The responsibility of the department of examination is to release accurate result of each and every student without any modifications, distortions and errors. Accurate ranks can be determined only on unmodified accurate results.
This is a piece of irrelevant English Composition which has no bearing at all to the topic under discusiion.You therefore will score a Z(ero) mark for your futile attempt.HOWEVER LET ME WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND A FRUITFUL NEW YEAR FOR 2012 !
Judging by the contents of Mr.Vikum S and his command of the English Language it is apparent he must be a senior officer in the education scetor either in service or in retirement.He seems to know his subject and his arguments are quite relevant and hence appreciated.Howevber as Sisira puts it he has missed the relevant blog for A/L results perhaps due to senile decay.Keep going we wish you long life and good health during this New Year just dawned!