Thousands Gather for Key School Entry Exam
On Friday, thousands of students and parents converged on two major Sydney venues—Canterbury Park Racecourse and Randwick Racecourse—to attend highly anticipated NSW Selective School and Opportunity Class (OC) exams. The exams serve as a gateway into accelerated learning programs in public primary and secondary schools across New South Wales.
However, what was meant to be a pivotal academic event quickly spiraled into disarray.
Severe Delays Spark Parental Confusion
According to parents on the scene, logistical issues were evident from the start. Drop-offs became chaotic as hundreds of families arrived at once, only to find that exams had been delayed by over an hour.
The problems worsened when large crowds of parents returned to pick up their children. Lack of clear instructions and crowd management led to mass confusion and rising panic.
Parents Describe "Parallel Universe" Scene
Alison Bell, a mother who witnessed the scene firsthand, described it as unlike anything she had ever seen:
"It's absolutely like a parallel universe... Parents en masse started to advance, like a pack of umbrellas, to where they're releasing the kids, and it's been like that for an hour now."
She criticized the new centralized format, contrasting it with previous years when exams were held at multiple smaller venues.
"Any idiot could see that if they're going to bring thousands and thousands of kids here… there would be a massive log jam."
Riot Squad and Police Step In
As the situation escalated, the NSW Police riot squad was deployed to Canterbury Park to control the growing crowd. At Randwick, regular police officers were also called to manage the congestion and ensure the safety of students and families.
Exam Session Cancelled for Some Students
Mohit Gupta, who brought his twin children to the Canterbury venue, said his children waited over two hours before being told their session would be cancelled altogether due to earlier disruptions with the OC group.
"All the OC parents were just howling 'Where are the kids?', while the kids for the selective exam were just waiting in the line," Mr. Gupta shared.
Concerns Over Student Welfare
Beyond logistical frustrations, many parents expressed concern for the mental wellbeing of students, particularly younger children who were overwhelmed by the tension and uncertainty. The emotionally charged environment was especially worrying for those unaccustomed to large crowds and high-stress situations.
NSW Department of Education Issues Apology
In response to the chaotic scenes, the NSW Department of Education released a statement acknowledging the failures in planning:
"We acknowledge the logistical challenges that caused some inconvenience to students and their parents and carers."
"We apologise for the inconvenience and are grateful for the patience and understanding shown."
Looking Ahead: Calls for Reform
The events of the day have prompted widespread criticism of the centralized exam model. Educators, parents, and advocacy groups are calling for an urgent review of how selective school and OC testing is organized in the future.
If change is not implemented, there’s concern that such incidents may repeat or worsen in coming years, putting undue stress on students and families alike.
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