Labor fears exam marker shortage may hit standard

FEARS of a shortage of exam markers has been flagged by the State Opposition, as more than 7000 Year 11 and 12 students begin their final exams.

Students from across Tasmania will put pen to paper today at 27 exam centres to kick off the 10-day Tasmanian Certificate of Education exam- ination period which more than 40 courses.

But Opposition education spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne said a meeting with the Australian Education Union revealed Tasmania needed 40 more exam markers to cope with the large number of student papers.

“This is the same critical issue this Government and this covers Minister faced during the exam period last year and they have not learned from the past,” she said.

Ms O’Byrne said a number of college staff had raised concerns about a shortage of exam markers.

“School liaison officers have advised they are concerned about the provision of adequate supervisors for exams and the storing of the exams in a secure place,” she said.

“I have written to Minister Rockliff seeking responses to these very serious concerns and he needs to provide answers.”

Australian Education Union deputy president Peta Revell-Cook said the shortage of exam markers could have a negative affect on the standard of marking. “It’s a bit of a concern,” she said.

It comes after the AEU earlier this year launched an external review into the processes of the Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification Office.

There are more than 500 markers employed for the TCE exam period statewide.

The State Government yesterday said it was committed to lifting education standards.

“We are investing a record $324 million into education, including 358 more staff and $192 million in infrastructure,” Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said.

“These investments are only possible because of our strong financial management.”