The selective school exams in NSW, Australia, descended into chaos at Canterbury and Randwick Racecourses. The event at Canterbury was cancelled due to overcrowding and logistical issues, prompting police intervention. Parents and students reported inadequate organization, leading to significant stress and inconvenience.
Parents voiced concerns about the suboptimal testing environment, citing reports of students being told to be quiet or risk failing the test. Education Minister Prue Car issued a sincere apology for the disruption and ordered an urgent review of the testing process.
The use of racecourses as testing venues drew criticism. Parents described significant logistical challenges, including long queues, lack of parking, and difficulties reaching the venues from various parts of Sydney. One parent detailed their arduous journey using multiple forms of public transport.
The president of the Northern District of P and Cs, David Hope, advocated for a return to local school testing venues, emphasizing the need for a calmer environment to avoid stressful situations similar to large sporting events.