Victorian Students Will Sit Exams in December and Learn Remotely in Term Two

Year 13 or nah?

Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of confusion surrounding what will happen to schools and students (particularly Year 12 students and their exams) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

For most states and territories, decisions are still up in the air but students have been assured by the federal government that they will recieve an ATAR and all Year 12 students will graduate in 2020.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for the Coordination of Education and Training – COVID-19, James Merlino, announced that from Term 2, all Victorian students will be educated from home to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

"School is going to look very different in Term 2," said Mr Andrews.

"If you can learn from home, you must learn from home."

So, what does this mean for Victorian students and exams? Here’s our explanation.

The biggest shift for Victorian students at this time is the switch to fully online learning when schools re-open for Term 2 on 14 April.

The main message to students and parents is all children who can learn at home must learn at home, with exemptions given only in necessary and extreme circumstances.

Students who rely on school supplies to complete their studies will be provided with free internet access and laptops, and schools will distribute other classroom tools or devices that are required for curriculum learning, to ensure all children get the education they need.

The Government plans to loan more than 6,000 laptops and tablets to students in need as well as SIM cards or dongles in an agreement with Telstra.

"Every student will get the support they need, whether they are learning at home or attending school on-site," Mr Merlino said.

"We will provide a device to every child that needs one and provide thousands more with free internet."

To reduce some of the pressure put on students at this strange time, school-based assessments and tasks will be reduced where possible.

I feel so relieved knowing that Term 2 will be taught online. It means my loved ones and I are safer. However, I am starting out at a new school with Preps and teachers I have never met and my anxiety is at 100. 🙃😅 pic.twitter.com/PBSt7mPGQ0
— a s h (@ashstorey_) April 7, 2020

Senior students will also notice changes to the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) and VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) timetables.

While VCE students will still receive an ATAR score, end of year exams will be put off until at least December and GAT (General Achievement Test) testing will be moved from June until at least October or November.

In recognition of the pandemic and the effect on students learning, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is preparing for the proposed December examination period and plans to shorten the length of each exam.

To prevent students from missing out next year and account for the delay that coronavirus may cause, the Victorian Government has asked universities to delay the start of their 2021 year.

VET (Vocational Education and Training) students will also have the option for their award to be delayed so that mandatory workplace learning or practical efforts can be performed and accounted for.

This update on plans for learning and exams comes after an announcement was made by Premier Daniel Andrews stating that students could sit final exams during the normal six to eight-week holiday period and receive their results in early 2021.

This announcement received a heap of backlash on social media from students, graduates and parents claiming that this decision sounded a lot like 'Year 13' and was unfair on students who just want to graduate.

Year 12 students might need to do Year 13.... 😯 wow good luck kiddos.. ..
— 🍁 (@nubby_han) April 6, 2020

so ur telling me they might EXTEND year 12 into early 2021?? yeah no
— Laura (@ameliebby) April 5, 2020

Premier Andrews quickly denounced this claim stating, "We’re not about Years 13 or people repeating. We think that we can get this done."

With so many updates and changes to education practices already this year, we know that this may be a very confusing time for students all over the country.

The best thing you can do during this difficult time is to try your best to keep studying, ask for help if you need it and, from a distance, support your peers and friends.