August 2011     NSW Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, has announced that the School Certificate will be abolished from 2012.  The external tests currently administered to all Year 10 students will not continue after this year.

Some students have been treating the Year 10 milestone as an 'exit point' from secondary school, though many students cannot now legally leave school until they are 17, or part way through year 11. 

Mr Piccoli said that the decision was made as a result of consultation undertaken by the Board of Studies with key stakeholder groups representing principals, teachers, parents and all school sectors.

"The message from stakeholders was that the School Certificate no longer meets the expectations of employers. It has not responded to changes such as the increase in the school leaving age, and the introduction of NAPLAN testing.  Students who leave school before they complete their HSC deserve a credential which is modern and relevant. Just as importantly, employers want to see a credential which is meaningful to them."

Mr Piccoli said he had requested the Board of Studies conduct further consultation to make recommendations about an alternative credential.  "A moderated credential recognising a wider range of student achievement would be more easily understood by employers, fairer and more reliable.

This year's School Certificate external tests will be conducted on schedule in November 2011.

From information provided by the NSW DET, August 4, 2011.

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