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Students at nine high schools in north-eastern Australia were mistakenly taught about Augustus Caesar instead of his predecessor Julius Caesar in an ancient history exam.
This revelation came just days before the trial.
The curriculum error in Queensland led to students being excused from statewide exams on Wednesday.
According to The GuardianOfficials are now checking all 172 schools in Queensland to see if any more schools have been affected.
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has promised an investigation into the mess, describing the experience as “extremely traumatic” for students.
After the mistake was discovered on Monday, schools successfully applied for exemptions, even as nervous high school students were cramming facts about the exploits of Julius Caesar as a Roman general and politician.
“I am very unhappy with the situation,” Langbroek told reporters. He announced that 140 senior citizens affected by this glitch will not have to appear for the exam.
Langbroek said he would make sure those students “are not harmed in any way.”
Nevertheless, the incident brought a wave of criticism.
Parents complained that anxiety over the ancient history exam had distracted their children from preparing for other exams, including the last exam held on Wednesday.
The exam accounts for 25 percent of students’ marks for the year.
Students who missed the exam on Wednesday will be given credit for the remaining 75 percent marks based on their assessment.
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority said it told the state’s 180 high schools two years ago that the ancient history exam subject would change to Julius Caesar in 2025.
For the last four years the theme was Augustus Caesar.