The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Board has confirmed that the Higher School Certificate (HSC) is to go ahead this year.
Chair of the NESA Board, Peter Shergold said the Board had established a COVID-19 Response Committee to address developing issues and had committed to providing regular advice to the community.
“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,” Dr Shergold said.
“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,” he said.
“If you get sick, your school and NESA have provisions to ensure you are not disadvantaged.”
Dr Shergold said that effective immediately,the Board had given principals the power to make decisions about the number and weighting of HSC formal assessment tasks for their school in 2020.
“This action provides schools with the flexibility they need to support their students in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak,” he said.
“NESA will provide specific advice to principals about this delegation of authority later this week.”
He said the NESA COVID-19 Response Committee would provide advice on work placements for VET students; students working on a group drama, dance or music performance; and students completing projects and major works.
Dr Shergold said the Committee included representation from each of the three NSW school sectors and would meet at least weekly.
