Computer problem hits 24,000 Correspondence students

TENS of thousands of Correspondence School pupils have been unable to receive course work or have it marked after the school’s new computer system crashed.

Problems with the switch to the new system, tendered for and won by a provider that the school would not name yesterday, caused the school to go offline on March 5, meaning delays in sending work, teacher assessments and enrolments.

Teachers have been unable to access the system to order new work for about 24,000 pupils, and have been photocopying resources and emailing digital versions of printed books to pupils.

At least one parent has questioned the timing of the upgrade during term time instead of during the holidays.

‘‘I confess I was a little intrigued as to why they did it in March rather than January,’’ said Esther Henderson, who has two teenagers enrolled in the school.

Parents and Supervisors Association vice-president Sue Cameron said it was not the first time parents and pupils had been let down.

Even before the computer system was launched, there were problems with printed material arriving on time, she said.

‘‘I can definitely tell you that one of the families’ responses was, ‘We’re used to being stuffed around’.’’

The teachers had been doing their best but had been hindered with the system down, especially in dealing with secondary students, she said.

‘‘The teachers are pretty dedicated but they’re in a bit of a black hole as to what they can do.’’

Ms Henderson said there had been some problems accessing the computer-based material, though it had not been ‘‘devastating’’.

She was full of praise for the teachers, who had been able to provide plenty of material through email.

‘‘I have to say the teachers are extremely good, so if there was a fault it was an administrative fault, not a teacher fault. It’s not like the kids have been sitting there twiddling their thumbs.’’

Correspondence School chief executive Mike Hollings said it had been hoped the new system would be operational by Monday this week, but the transfer of data from four ageing computer systems did not go as planned.

The system was now being implemented in phases, and it was hoped it would be running smoothly early next week.

‘‘Of course, we are concerned about the impact of this on students and are working hard to resolve the data-transfer issues so teachers can have access to the system.

‘‘Teachers ordered additional work to be sent to students in an- ticipation of a delay with the changeover to the new system, so a number of students will have work they are able to continue with.’’

The new system was selected by a board including external experts from the education and IT sector. There were three independent reviews during the project, including one of the tender process and others of quality assurance.

The provider had been chosen after extensive evaluation, including product demonstrations, Mr Hollings said.