Victorian schools will not be taking part in an online trial of the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) this year.

Education Services Australia (ESA) has been unable to resolve technological issues that are affecting NAPLAN Online’s platform and supporting technology in time to commence the online version of NAPLAN next month. Recent testing indicates that this could affect students’ ability to complete the tests.

The ACT and Western Australia also withdrew today, following South Australia and Queensland who had previously withdrawn from NAPLAN Online.

Victorian schools were fully prepared to participate in NAPLAN Online this year. However, there is not enough time for ESA to resolve the issues and complete comprehensive quality assurance testing in the next three weeks.

This decision means all Victorian students will sit pen-and-paper tests in 2017.

The Andrews Labor Government will continue to work with ESA and other states and territories to ensure a successful NAPLAN Online roll out from 2018.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We want NAPLAN Online to be a positive experience for students and schools. With three weeks to go, we don’t have enough time to be confident of this happening.”

“The last thing we want is students being unable to demonstrate their numeracy and literacy skills because of technological faults.”

 “While we firmly believe in the benefits of NAPLAN Online, I will not put Victorian students in a situation that could compromise their results.”