Computer system backed after flaws

THE Correspondence School’s boss has defended the school’s new computer system after it encountered problems last week.

The Dominion Post reported on Saturday that thousands of Correspondence School pupils were unable to receive course work or have it marked amid problems with the school’s new computer system. Teachers had reportedly been unable to access the system to order new work and had been photocopying resources and emailing digital versions of printed books to pupils.

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (formerly the Correspondence School) chief executive Mike Hollings said the school’s student management system had been in use since the March 12 launch date. ‘‘When we encountered problems with the transfer of data we chose to implement the system in stages until the data transfer issues could be resolved and the system made available to all staff for use.’’

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

Mr Hollings said the system was launched during term time because teachers needed training to use it. ‘‘To make sure the knowledge gained through training isn’t lost, we needed to launch the system as close as possible to the end of training.

‘‘Our teachers, like those in face-to-face schools, work to the school terms, so training began at the start of the term, with the intention the teachers would then have several weeks to be working with the system before the next school holidays.’’

Mr Hollings clarified that the school had 14,000 students, including early childhood students, young adults and part-time students. Many would have had course work and plenty of material had been provided by email and other means.