VCE 2021 Parents’ Group
Time is running out for thousands of VCE and VCAL students to end the year with confidence, with the Victorian Government yet to outline a clear plan for how they will complete their 2021 studies, according to parent advocacy group #VCEWhatsThePlanDan.
The group, which has attracted the support of over a thousand parents from public and independent schools across the state, said delays in vaccination and a lack of guidance around exam conditions was causing unnecessary stress to teenagers who have already faced extraordinary upheaval in their final years of schooling.
"In Victoria our 1 million students have missed more days at school than any other country in the world and the toll is becoming an unheard pandemic."
#VCEWhatsThePlanDan is calling for priority vaccination queues for year 11 and 12 students, a shortening of the Pfizer vaccine gap from 6 to 3 weeks, and evidence that health authorities have developed a workable plan for examinations that are now just weeks away.
#VCEWhatsThePlanDan spokesperson A/Prof Caroline Dowling said: “The clock is ticking for these students, who are grappling with significant anxiety caused by extended lockdowns, lack of contact with friends and teachers, and uncertainty around their education and futures.”
While vaccinations have theoretically been expanded to students aged 16 and over, essential priority arrangements had not been put in place to enable easy access to those vaccines, A/Prof Dowling said. “We are seeing students lose yet more study time by queuing for hours and sometimes still being turned away. The apparent lack of planning is hugely frustrating.” Upwards of 62,000 VCE/VCAL students across Victoria will be impacted, with the VCE English exam scheduled to take place on 27 October 2021.
#VCEWhatsThePlanDan is calling on the Government to:
- Ensure that all VCE students and their teachers who wish to be, have the opportunity to be vaccinated by the start of term 4 with a suitable COVID-19 vaccine – this means priority queues for VCE students at state hubs, out-of-school-hours vaccination options and assistance with accessing vaccinations at GP clinics;
- Ensure students can access a second Pfizer dose in 3 weeks (not 6 as currently practised to reduce demand on supply) so they are fully vaccinated well before the main examination period commences;
- Develop a framework, in collaboration with health experts, to allow students to participate in face-to-face time with teachers in the important lead-up to exams for this group who have missed 151 days of on campus learning; and
- Clarify what measures will be implemented to adequately address risks and ensure examinations can proceed in person, including the GAT on 9 September.
“The government continues to strive for COVID-zero, but it’s time to provide a plan for a scenario where this target is unattainable,” A/Prof Dowling said. “These kids have done their part in keeping Victorians safe – now it is time to support them to finish a difficult year in the best possible way.”
“With the exams just weeks away, you would expect authorities to be well-advanced in considering and addressing risks. We are simply asking, what’s the plan Dan?
About #VCEWhatsThePlanDan – the group comprises students, parents, teachers and other concerned members of the
Victorian community and advocates for Clarity, Compassion and Choice. A petition begun 10 days ago has garnered over 2000
signatures in support of the campaign.
