NAPLAN tests cancelled due to coronavirus

Testing times... NAPLAN tests in Queensland have been called off amid the coronavirus outbreak.

NAPLAN tests have been called off because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace announced on Friday (20 March) that the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing would not proceed this year.

“The expert health advice of chief health and medical officers remains that schools should remain open,” Ms Grace said.

“But given the impact of COVID-19 on our schools, NAPLAN testing will not proceed in 2020.”

The NAPLAN tests were to be held from 12 to 22 May.

Given the coronavirus outbreak, Ms Grace said there were more important things teachers could be doing.

“The valuable time of our school leaders, teachers and support staff should be spent either providing continuity of learning for our students or preparing to deliver possible curriculum at home,” she said

“I want to thank my state and federal colleagues for listening to Queensland’s call to move swiftly to cancel NAPLAN this year, allowing our hardworking teachers to continue providing a world-class education to our students during this unprecedented time.”