The recent Delta outbreak of the coronavirus has affected the Class of 2021 immensely. 

We are in the middle of a PANDEMIC with an extensive increase in cases every week and are expected to sit the HSC and operate as normal. We have lost tremendous amounts of one-on-one learning time in school settings with our teachers, not only due to recent lockdown measures, but even going way back to the lockdown of 2020 that put us off on the wrong foot to learn the crucial foundations of our senior subjects. 

Not only were we hit by these strict lockdown measures once, but twice, which alone is enough the extent that it has disadvantaged us. We are so close to undertaking debatably the most crucial exam of our schooling life; all while pushing ourselves everyday to show up with full diligence in an environment that is evidently not able to equip us with the resources that are needed. We are already struggling and it is going to be very difficult to catch up on lost time and learning even if we return back to school. Many of our trial exams are also pushed back closer to the HSC date - which means we are expected to undergo a rigorous exam period of BOTH the HSC and the HSC trials. You cannot expect us to cope or be able to deliver quality results. We have already lost so much. 

Schools all across NSW are facing disadvantages due to COVID in their respective ways. Neither should, however, be undermined. The circumstances do not allow a faithful representation of our capacity to study or our academic abilities, which is the purpose of the HSC. Universities judge our academic abilities based on our ATAR and it is unfair that we are forced to endure all of this and be expected to meet the standards. 

Additionally, we are now being expected to sit the HSC months overtime. This period has been stressful for the community as a whole, but it is even more stressful for the youth who are under pressure to study from home and be expected to return to school and work several weeks overtime. The circumstances are not regular, so neither should be the expectation to sit the HSC. An exam should not be prioritised over our physical and mental health.

A more practical alternative would be for uni's to set up a new application process and criteria tailored to the course they are offering absent of the ATAR. This could also involve giving merit from marks from the past year to avoid wasted time and effort. This will minimise the risk involved in returning to school amid the extensive rise in cases, and make it more just for students' to make it into uni with course they desire. This is one of many approaches that can be taken.  The bottom line is, however, that what's being done is inadequate. 

Please check the 'updates' section to see what else you can do to directly make this happen. We are now accepting expressions for a mini doco/video. 

Cancel the HSC. Find better alternatives.

Contact me on Instagram or email for any inquiries

@mellikaaa , mellikaazimi@gmail.com