Federation representatives are requested to seek signatures from Federation members in schools and colleges who support the accompanying statement.

In week 1, term 3 Federation representatives should fax the statement to both the General Manager, Office of the Board of Studies (Facsimile No. 9367 8478) and to the Federation, attention Mr Richard Walsham (Facsimile No. 9217 2470). The accompanying statement supports the Federation’s position in its negotiation of a new Markers and related employees award.

The issues are of importance to all School Certificate and Higher School Certificate candidates, their teachers and the community, and are explained as follows:-

The award clause on Privacy was introduced when the HSC Advice Line commenced to ensure there was no ‘Daily Telegraph, Mt Druitt’ disclosure of essentially what were matters between students and the teachers when students sought advice from the HSC Advice Line. The Federation wants an appropriate clause retained.

The Double marking clause has existed since 1994 to ensure there is a known award protocol around discrepant scripts and an assurance that students get a ‘fair go’ when their papers achieve discrepant results after they are marked by different markers. The Federation wants an appropriate clause retained.

The cap on Day Marking has been a cap of 12 percent of the total hours of HSC written marking. This cap ensures that schools are not unduly disrupted by teachers who are part of the schools establishment, being absent from school marking papers. The Federation wants an appropriate clause retained.

The Selection of Markers clause ensures that there is a known visible award process for the Selection of Markers and one that ensures that papers are marked by appropriately qualified, experienced and in most cases practising teachers. The Federation wants an appropriate clause retained.

We, the Teachers Federation members at __________________ High/Central school/TAFE college oppose any stripping of the Higher School Certificate/School Certificate Markers and Higher School Certificate Student Advice Line and Higher School Certificate Inquiry Centre Staff Rates of Pay, Allowances and Conditions Award such that key clauses on:

• Privacy
• Double Marking
• A percentage cap on papers marked under Day Marking processes
• Selection of Markers

are removed.

The clauses named are integral to the integrity of the marking and advisory processes of these important public examinations for teachers, students and the community.