Leader of the Opposition

LIA FINOCCHIARO MLA
​
MEDIA RELEASE
20th April 2020

Where is the planning for Territory Year 12 students?
​The Country Liberal Party has called for the Gunner Government to provide urgent clarity on exactly how 2020 will look for Year 12 students with the COVID-19 crisis still creating uncertainty, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said today.
 “Education Minister Selena Uibo caused great uncertainty for parents, students and teachers in the mixed messaging approach the Government has been taking with whether children have to attend school in Term 2. The Government can’t make the same mistake with senior students. Year 12 is a critical time in a student’s life and we need to do everything we can to support them with as minimal disruption as possible,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
 “Ideally, Year 12 students will not be negatively impacted by COVID-19 if clear planning is established to support them through to the last day of exams. We owe it to Year 12 students to give them continuity, security and a pathway to their next stage of life.
 “With Term 2 getting underway, it is now urgent that Year 12 students and their families are advised on how this year will be structured in terms of study and assessment. Students and their families need to be at ease and understand what is ahead so they can plan. So far the Government has offered no clarity about what will happen.
 The COAG Education Council met and reinforced the importance of certainty for students. The Council agreed that students will be able to achieve a certificate this year, but the specific arrangements would be advised by individual state and territory governments.
 “There has been some hinting from the Gunner Government on assessment changes but there has been nothing that specifically provides clarity for Year 12s,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
 “There is also a question about apprenticeship credits which is particularly important, given many of the businesses and organisations where students were to complete learning, face uncertain futures,” Mrs Finocchiaro concluded.
ENDS

"Only together can we build a better Territory for you and your family.”

- LIA FINOCCHIARO MLA, Leader of the Country Liberal Party and member for Spillett