Logistical Failures Impact 20,000 Students Taking Placement Exams

The situation escalated to the point where the riot squad was called in to manage the crowd.

Sydney Girls High School in Moore Park in Sydney, Australia on August 17, 2020. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

The New South Wales government has launched an independent review into the widespread disruption of this year’s opportunity class and selective high school placement tests, which affected around 20,000 students across the state.

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car announced the review following logistical failures that forced the postponing of tests at three major venues in Sydney—Randwick Racecourse, Sydney Olympic Park, and Canterbury Racecourse on May 3 and 4.