Iona Holsted
<h2>Secretary for Education Iona Holsted has issued a direction under the Education and Training Act 2020 to all registered schools conducting senior examinations in any COVID-19 Alert Level 3 area.</h2>
<p>Issued on October 13, it reads:</p>
<p>Under clause 3 of Schedule 25 to the Education and Training Act 2020 I direct the governing bodies of all registered schools who conduct senior examinations in any Alert Level 3 area to comply with the following requirements from 13 October 2021: </p>
<p>1. Students may not attend school to sit examinations unless the following conditions can be met:</p>
<p>A In the opinion of the principal or professional leader (as the case may be) of the school it is necessary to conduct examinations in person and on site; and</p>
<p>B Where students physically attend school, the governing body of the school ensures that overall numbers are kept as low as possible and;</p>
<p>(a) Physical distancing is observed at all times between individuals – 1m inside and 2m outside and gatherings are confined to organised bubbles;</p>
<p>(b) Desks are appropriately spaced to allow the necessary distance between all candidates and supervisors, with 1.5 metres between desks in all directions; </p>
<p>(c) Students are organised into bubbles of no more than 10, teaching staff are in addition to that number;</p>
<p>(d) The student make-up of each bubble does not change throughout the examination period;</p>
<p>(e) Bubbles can share the same space as other bubbles but must remain physically distanced from other bubbles by a minimum of two metres inside or outside in the school grounds, or on their way to or from the school;</p>
<p>(f) A teacher is not associated with more than one bubble of students (but a bubble of students can have more than one teacher assigned);</p>
<p>(g) Rigorous hand washing and drying is adhered to and hand sanitiser is available at the entrance to classrooms;</p>
<p>(h) Students and teachers are asked to go home if they are unwell;</p>
<p>(i) Physical distancing requirements are met at entry and exit points at the school and in classrooms;</p>
<p>(j) Indoor spaces are well ventilated;</p>
<p>(k) There is a plan in place to meet any changed COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) that have been signalled to be in place when exams are held. </p>
<p>C The governing body of the school has caused to be sent to me in a form I have provided, an attestation that the above requirements have been met. </p>
<p>2. Every governing body of a registered school must ensure that their school complies with all applicable COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Orders in all other respects.</p>
<p>I am satisfied that the making of this direction is reasonably necessary to manage adverse effects, mitigate the consequences and facilitate co-ordination of senior secondary education in response to the outbreak of COVID -19.</p>
<h3>Interpretation</h3>
<p>In this direction:</p>
<p><strong>Alert Level 3 area </strong>has the same meaning as defined in the applicable COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order 2021.</p>
<p>Terms in this direction that are defined in the Education and Training Act 2020 have the same meanings defined in that Act. </p>
<p><strong>Relationship to August Direction</strong></p>
<p>The Direction Under the Education and Training Act 2020 to all Registered Schools Offering Education to Years 12 and 13 in the COVID-19 Alert Level 3 Area (2021-go3733) remains in place, but does not apply to the holding of examinations</p>

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