Question NW76 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
16 February 2017 - NW76
Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Whether he has been informed of any problems with the distribution of examination papers to examination centres for the technical and vocational education training colleges during November 2016 examinations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many cases were reported where examination papers did not reach the specified examination centres on time for the specified examinations, (b) which colleges were affected, (c) what are the full details of the factors that led to the non-delivery and late delivery of the specified examination papers and (d) what remedial steps have been taken to (i) address complaints and (ii) avoid the non-delivery and late delivery of examination papers in the future?
Reply:
a) Three Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges were affected.
b) College of Cape Town and Northlink TVET College in the Western Cape, and Ingwe TVET College in the Eastern Cape.
c) The Department utilises the Government Printing Works (GPW) on an agency basis to print, pack and dispatch TVET college question papers. GPW experienced production challenges during the November 2016 examinations and this together with severe inclement weather, made it impossible for Skynet (the contracted courier company) to timeously deliver the question papers to all examination centres. Flights were cancelled due to severe inclement weather on the eve of the examinations, despite overnight / same-day services being contracted for the particular consignment.
d) (i) Colleges are required to immediately inform the Department of delivery problems on the morning of an examination, when collecting question papers from the secure delivery point. All the affected question papers were replaced and rescheduled for the three affected colleges.
(ii) A full post-examinations analysis of the services rendered by GPW during the November 2016 examinations has been concluded. GPW has re-evaluated its in-house resources, structures and processes in light of the findings to ensure timeous dispatching of question papers in future examinations cycles. In addition, GPW has committed to having an available back-up provider should it run into technical printing and packing challenges. This will ensure the timeous release of question papers to Skynet. The Department will also institute an on-site monitoring process at GPW to ensure that all examination question papers are delivered within agreed upon dates per examinations cycle.
COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:
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DIRECTOR – GENERAL
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QUESTION 76 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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