Page 968 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 May 2020
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MS LAWDER: Minister, how will year 12 students be assessed on their community service participation requirement?
MS BERRY: Students will be assessed on what they have actually done, not what they have not been able to do because of COVID-19. This has been an incredible situation that our community has been facing, and so our schools and our colleges have been reacting appropriately to ensure that students are treated fairly throughout this, particularly years 11 and 12 students as they are entering their final years of formal education within the ACT senior secondary system.
Our colleges know best—and know our students best—how to manage and ensure that students are treated fairly, given the impact that COVID-19 has had, not just here in the ACT but across the country, on senior secondary students’ education.
MS LEE: Minister, what additional supports have been or will be put in place for year 12 teachers and students to support them through this critical time?
MS BERRY: Again, I have been talking with and listening to the principals association, including college principals, and have offered any support that they need. I am sure that if they need support they will call on the directorate and it will be available for them.
Schools—COVID-19
MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development. Minister, how many teachers and learning support assistants at ACT government schools have been identified as vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their age or health conditions?
MS BERRY: I do not have numbers for health conditions; that is not something that employees are required to provide to the ACT government. I can check on numbers for people who are in age categories that have been identified as more at risk of contracting COVID-19. I will get hold of that advice and provide it to the chamber.
MR MILLIGAN: Minister, how many casual teachers and casual learning support assistants are registered with the ACT Education Directorate, and how many are identified as vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their age and health conditions?
MS BERRY: I will take that question on notice as well and provide that information to the Assembly.
MS LEE: Minister, have you or your directorate surveyed all ACT government schoolteachers and learning support assistants at any point about whether they wish to continue face-to-face classroom teaching or are ready to do so?
MS BERRY: As I said, the ACT government and the Education Directorate, and my office and I, have communicated and consulted—frequently; daily in some cases—with teaching professionals’ representatives, their union, as well as the school
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