Year 12 students in NSW have been assured that they will still get a HSC certificate at the end of the year despite disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The NSW Education Standards Authority met this afternoon to make the decision, with provisions being made to not disadvantage any student who becomes infected with COVID-19.
"We know you are worried," a message directed to HSC students read. "While we recognise we are facing an unprecedented situation, we want to assure you that you will be able to get a HSC certificate this year, and that the certificate will facilitate access to university, further education and employment, as it has for students over the past 50 years."
This week, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian encouraged parents to keep their children at home, but schools would remain open.
NSW Education Standards Authority chair Peter Shergold said arrangements are being made to ensure Year 12 students can graduate, but did not provide further details on how the final exam format would be modified.
"Keep learning, do your assessments as advised by your school, make progress on your major projects where you can and, most importantly, look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home. Reach out to family, friends and your teachers if you need to.
"If you get sick, your school and NESA have provisions to ensure you are not disadvantaged."
He said school principals would be given discretion on the weighting for formal assessments for the HSC.
“This action provides schools with the flexibility they need to support their students in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak,” Professor Shergold said.
A new committee is being formed to provide guidance on work placements for VET students, and advice for students completing major works that require group or individual performances to be assessed.
Parents and students have been calling for clarification on HSC exams as social distancing measures over the COVID-19 pandemic were increased this week.
