!! the vic government is once again disadvantaging already disadvantaged year 12 students !!

[THREAD]

1. all of term two is going to be online. that's fine for people with internet access, but many people just don't have internet access. furthermore, with all "non-essential" services closed, like public libraries where one might use the free wifi, tons of kids
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are being overlooked. in my area, only about 50% of public school students have access to the internet at home. this just proves what people have been saying for years - internet access is a human right.
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2. vcaa is encouraging ALL year 12 students to submit a SEAS application. for those who don't know, the seas application is an application regarding special consideration for entry into university. they are USUALLY for people who are:
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a) from a background underrepresented in university (aboriginal/torres strait islander, non-english speaking, first in family in tertiary education, etc.
b) from a disadvantaged financial background
c) are disabled or have some other medical condition
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d) difficult circumstances (death in the family, divorce, addiction etc.)
it is already relatively difficult to obtain a seas application for those who currently qualify for it. yes, the current situation may qualify as "difficult circumstances",
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BUT the seas application exists to create equal opportunity for minority groups. EVERYONE is experiencing this, meaning that even though online learning and an extended school year is "difficult", EVERYONE IS IN THE SAME BOAT. to extend "equal opportunity"
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to EVERYONE doing online learning is not equal opportunity, it's giving those with pre-existing privilege even more of an advantage over those without, and that's fucked up.

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