The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is defending the mask mandate for students as HSC exams begin today.

Year 12 students will be required to wear masks when sitting exams this month.

CEO Paul Martin told Ben Fordham “we have put the students first”.

“We understand the irritation of masks … but we received advice from Health that if a student is not wearing a mask, and they contract COVD or transmit COVID, the students around them who are also not wearing a mask will be ruled out of the exams.

“It’s a balance between the students’ irritation and the health and safety of all the other students.”

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