Schools across NSW have received guidelines to support planning for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) written exams that start on October 20.
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The guidelines, developed in consultation with NSW Health, have been issued to principals by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), who are responsible for the HSC.
Guidelines include limiting numbers to 75 students per exam room, limiting HSC student interaction with the rest of the school and prioritising cleaning for exam venues.
NESA chief executive officer Paul Martin said that he recognised preparing for the HSC exams during this pandemic is challenging.
"The aim of these guidelines is to provide as much clarity to schools and reassurance to students as possible, in line with health advice as we approach exams," Mr Martin said.
In their planning, schools have been asked to consider:
- Prioritising a section of the school for rapid cleaning as well as having an alternative venue on standby.
- Developing exam day protocols including health screening, in line with sector or school policies and protocols.
- Recruiting additional exam supervisors.
NSW Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said students need to be reassured that everything is being done to make sure they can sit their HSC without disruption.
"Each school's contingency plans will be unique, school principals will be supported by their local directors and the department to develop and implement their individual plans," she said.
"Schools have done an outstanding job in supporting their HSC students this year and the Class of 2020 have worked exceptionally hard under these circumstances."
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