Are today’s students smarter or curriculum easier?

A few decades ago the SSC (Senior School Certificate) was the equivalent of the GCE O Level examination, One had to obtain three credit passes to qualify to sit the HSC/UE (Higher School Certificate/university entrance ). Two credit passes had to be in subjects to be pursued. Those seeking to enter the medical faculty had to have five credits including English. Distinctions (A passes today) were a rarity.

A passes at OL is galore today. Most students have A passes in many subjects today.

How come this trend? Are the present day students smarter than their predecessors or the curriculum is that much easier than before? Is it the tuition factor which cannot be disregarded?

Gamini Peiris
Panadura