By Fatima Halloum
Werribee Secondary College students have started a petition calling for the school to allow all interested year 10 students to undertake VCE subjects a year early.
The petition summary states the school issued a statement on November 7, informing students they would be unable to run a VCE Early Commencement program, that would allow year 10 students to undertake a VCE subject, in 2023 due to staff shortages.
According to the petition, students enrolled in a Selective Entry Learning Program (ESLP) would continue with VCE classes as normal.
Werribee Secondary College student and lead petitioner Nessrin Jomaa said students in mainstream classes deserve the opportunity to take part in a VCE Early Commencement program.
She labelled the school’s decision as ’unfair’.
“Our rights to participate in this learning opportunity have been taken away, and we question why SELP has been given priority over mainstream students,” she said.
“If [the school] can still support SELP [students], why can’t [it] support for us as well?
Nessrin’s mother Diana said the students were disappointed.
“It’s a bit upsetting that they won’t be able to do the program, why can’t it be equal?,” she said.
The petition was signed by more than 100 students.
Nessrin said she hoped other teenagers would feel encouraged to speak out.
“Even if you feel like it’s not going to go anywhere, speak up, it’s better than just standing still,” she said.
Werribee Secondary College was contacted for comment.
A Department of Education and Training spokesperson said students at Werribee Secondary College will have access to more VCE subjects in 2023.
“The school’s offering includes 33 VET studies from both within the school and the network VET cluster which contribute to the Vocational Major Certificate,“ the spokesperson said.
“Accelerated students at the school can still undertake unit one and two subjects in year 10.”
