Coronavirus in schools: NSW Government should scrap HSC exams

Students won’t benefit from a level playing field if HSC exams continue during the COVID-19 crisis, writes Jake McCallum

Students preparing for the HSC exams could be disadvantaged by the coronavirus.

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The NSW Government needs to urgently scrap HSC exams this year.

The unprecedented move would be the only way Year 12 students facing the stress of studying for the HSC during the coronavirus will have a level playing field — if the government keeps schools open — when it comes to getting into university, post pandemic.

Parents are fearful for their children’s health, teachers are concerned they are fast becoming COVID-19 “scapegoats” and already panicked students are convinced they will fall behind if parents decide to remove them from the classroom while schools remain open. 

In a perfect world every single student across the state would be able to continue working in digital classrooms from the comfort, and safety, of their homes.

HSC exams should be scrapped in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

But this is not a perfect world, not all students and schools have the financial capability to learn in online classrooms and digital learning is not a one-size-fits all answer.

Students will fall behind.

Children will continue to be anxious.

Coronavirus could have a major impact on their results.

But, the state government has an ace up its sleeve that it could play to put anxious minds at ease — waive HSC exams and increase the weight assignment marks have on students final results.

HSC results are not determined by a single set of exams at the end of a student’s school career.

According to the Education Standards Authority, student’s Higher School Certificate results are made up of three marks from each course studied.

These include an assessment mark, exam mark and a HSC mark, which determine overall performance compared to other students.

Students are becoming anxious over the impact coronavirus will have on their grades.

“For most Board Developed Courses, school-based assessment makes up 50 per cent of your HSC mark,” The HSC Rules and Procedures guide outlines to students.

“Schools set individual assessment tasks … these tasks measure knowledge, skills and understanding for a wide range of outcomes, and may include tests, written assignments, practical activities, fieldwork and projects.”

Teachers provide the Education Department with an aggregated mark that summarises the results of exams and assignments completed by students throughout their final year — which provides the government with a safe option to determine final HSC results and ATARs during what could be months of uncertainty.

Scrapping HSC exams this year and relying on the assessment marks of teachers that understand the learning capabilities and assess their students work regularly means that teachers, students, parents and the government are assured no student is left behind or disadvantaged by the pandemic.

Psychologist Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg said the impact the coronavirus will have on HSC students was uncertain. Photo: Alistair Brightman

Leading children’s psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg questioned how the state government will be able to assess students “in the age of coronavirus”.

“Whether or not online learning impacts the performance of Year 12 students is yet to be seen,” he said. “There is a great level of uncertainty from teachers and young people.”

Dr Carr-Gregg said schools and principals have differing views on what the government should do, “but many have made seamless transitions to digital learning”.

“Students are getting up, showering, changing into their uniform and doing the normal school work on their computer at home, where schools are closed,” he said.

“One of the things that have amazed and delighted me is the flexibility of learning and the adaptability of change.”