NSW COVID cases grow, Victoria COVID cases grow, Queensland cases grow, Sydney lockdown continues, Victoria lockdown continues
The General Achievement Test for VCE students was postponed for the third time this year due to the sixth coronavirus lockdown in Victoria.
The test, called GAT, is taken by all VCE students and was scheduled for this Thursday, but has been postponed to an unknown future date.
Victoria’s general achievement test has been postponed once again. Credit:Jason South
Regional schools reopened this morning when COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, but Melbourne students are still learning remotely.
Victoria’s Education Minister James Merlino said the test would be rescheduled to avoid the risk of another outbreak at a school.
Several schools are closed after being linked to a positive case in the current Melbourne outbreak, including Al-Taqwa College in Truganina, Ilim College in Dallas, the Australian International Academy of Education in Coburg, Mount Alexander College in Flemington and Heathdale Christian College in Werribee.
Any student who is quarantined when the rescheduled GAT is taken will be exempt, the state government said this morning.
“On the rescheduled date, students who are quarantined as positive coronavirus cases or primary close contacts, as well as schools considered exposure sites, will receive an exemption from the GAT,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“This will not hurt student outcomes and will be taken into account when considering the educational disadvantage process.”
This is the second year in a row that all VCE students will receive special consideration due to disruptions in learning caused by COVID-19. The VCE is the Victorian equivalent of the HSC in NSW or QCE in Queensland.
