After two years of disruptions and lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ABC confirms that more than 65,000 New South Wales year 12 students will finally sit in their first HSC written exams.
The HSC exams were supposed to be given in October but unfortunately, it was delayed and pushed back due to the Delta virus outbreak.
ABC further confirms that staff and students are required to follow strict COVID-safe protocols during these exams, which include practicing social distancing, wearing masks inside and outside the exam room, and monitoring students for any flu-like symptoms.
Nine News also confirms that air purifiers will be present in some examination settings to limit the spread of Coronavirus.
NSW Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell reiterated that these Covid-safe rules need to be enforced to keep students safe.
“These are all very important elements to make sure that as many students as possible can sit each and every one of their exams without disruption,” she said.
“Just do your best. You’ve already worked so hard and been through so much this year and I think shown resilience and wisdom that you don’t even recognise in yourself,” she added.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet sympathised with HSC students as he confirmed that the mask mandate would need to be enforced during the exam.
“I apologise to the students who will find this difficult on top of all the other challenges over the last 18 months,” he said as per Nine News.
Students will be receiving their ATARs next year on January 20, while their HSC results will be released on January 24.
