Students and teachers are pushing back on a mask mandate for HSC exams amid increasing vaccination rates in the over 15 demographic.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has mandated mask-wearing for all Year 12 students during their exams, which begin tomorrow.

Principal of The King’s School Tony George has vehemently opposed the mandate, telling Ben Fordham his students are “a bit miffed” by the experiment.

“Some of them will be facing upwards of 15 hours of exams with a mask on.

“We don’t know [how masks will affect performance], we haven’t been through it before.

“It reduces airflow, and they need oxygen for their brains to be able to keep them alert.”

Year 12 students Phillipa Signorelli and Jamie Christopoulos also joined Ben, voicing their discomfort.

“It’s already a very stressful time … and it’s just another added pressure, another thing you have to think about,” Jamie said.

“It’s madness,” Ben commented.

Press PLAY below to hear the reaction from teachers and students

Image: Getty