The NSW Government has today announced new COVID-Safe guidelines for all NSW schools to ensure HSC exams can go ahead safely.
Under the guidelines issued to all school principals, there will be a limit of 75 students per exam room, while HSC students will have limited interaction with other students, and cleaning of exam venues will be prioritised.
The guidelines, developed in consultation with NSW Health, were issued by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), which is responsible for the HSC.
The aim is to support schools as they plan HSC exams, which start October 20.
Under the guidelines, schools have been asked to prioritise a section of the school for rapid cleaning and have an alternative venue on standby in case of a school closure; develop exam-day protocols, including health screening; and recruit additional exam supervisors.
NSW Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said each school's contingency plan would be unique, with principals supported by local directors and the department of education to develop and implement their plans.
She reassured students that everything possible was being done to ensure they could sit their HSC exams without disruption.
It comes after some HSC trial exams were postponed due to COVID-19 cases linked to schools.
Ms Mitchell said that while HSC trials were held "without major incident", the government was now working with schools to implement guidelines and procedures to "reduce the risk of a COVID-19 disruption for our HSC students".
"We are continuing to prioritise health advice as we support schools in planning for and operating the HSC exams. The safety of students and staff involved remains our priority," she said.
"A COVID-safe plan is about minimising disruption to students if there is a confirmed case at their school."
NESA chief executive Paul Martin said he recognised preparing for the HSC exams during the pandemic was challenging, and the aim of the guidelines was to "provide as much clarity to schools and reassurance to students as possible, in line with health advice as we approach exams".
