6. Question No. 6—EducationANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 6—Education6. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What decisions has the Government made about onsite learning at schools in level 3 regions?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Today I announced that on-site learning at schools in level 3 regions will start from next Tuesday for years 11 to 13 students which will allow them to prepare for end of year exams and complete NCEA assessments. The issue of school reopening is a complex one and it does require difficult trade-offs between improving education and increasing potential health risks for children and young people many of whom cannot yet be vaccinated. Learners in this particular age group though the senior secondary school age group are able to be vaccinated and they'll be required to wear masks and the staff and volunteers working on-site will need a negative COVID-19 test before they're able to attend. Further consideration is being given to years 1 to 10 at Cabinet next Tuesday.Angela Roberts: What refinements if any have been made to public health requirements to support the return of years 11 to 13 students?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: A number of further refinements have been made as we continue to refine the public health measures for schools and early learning services. The following additional measures will be in place: face coverings will be required at school and on school transport for everyone over the age of 12; time outdoors for students and staff will be maximised and the rooms will be aired during breaks; exercise and singing will only take place outdoors; group meetings indoors including assemblies and staff meetings will be avoided; and of course staff need to return a negative test before they return to work on site. Staff who are not fully vaccinated will need to be tested weekly and it will be required for staff to be fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022. I'd also add that children and young people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should stay home unless they're fully vaccinated; face coverings are mandatory for the staff and learners in years 9 to 13; and records must be kept for contact tracing purposes.Angela Roberts: What is the Government doing to ensure students in alert level 3 areas get a fair chance at NCEA?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: While classroom teaching and learning have been disrupted by COVID-19 I know that students have been continuing to work hard while they're learning from home. They deserve to have the opportunity to demonstrate what they've learnt during that time. NCEA and scholarship exams will be proceeding but physical distancing will be maximised within the space that's available with a minimum of 1.5 metres between desks. In Auckland Waikato and Northland where they've experienced further disruption in term 4 of this year when students are normally preparing for exams the New Zealand Qualifications Authority has confirmed that these students will be eligible for an unexpected event grade that will help to recognise the work that they have done. While students will be expected to attend exams where possible the long-established unexpected event grade process means that they will receive the better of either their exam grade or the unexpected event grade.