Education
With regard to the 2021 systematic tests:
- What is the total breakdown of the expenditure for the tests, (b) what are the details of the (i) service provider, (ii) number of staff who were employed and (iii) remuneration from the budget and (c) what is the number and details of Western Cape Education Department staff who supported the work for the 2021 systematic tests;
- whether there are any financial benefits for schools that perform better in the systematic tests; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether his Department has received any concerns and/or complaints about the leaking of systematic tests; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what are the details of corrective measures that have been taken by the Department to address the matter from 2018 to date;
- whether there are any investigations that have been conducted regarding the leaking of systematic tests by the his Department; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) can a copy of the report or reports be made available;
- what is the impact of the leaking of systematic tests on the validity of the results of the systematic tests?
THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION
- My department has informed me of the following:
(1) (a) Total breakdown of the expenditure for the tests:
|
Original Budget for 2021 |
R54 029 897.00 |
|
Additional budget to cover social distancing |
R13 668 920.62 |
|
Costs of using the CTLI (less) |
-R1 519 956.60 |
|
Total expenditure for 2021 |
R66 178 861.02 |
(b) (i) University of Cape Town
(ii) Number of staff employed:
Writing
|
Testing Supervisors |
58 |
|
Testing Assistant Supervisor |
58 |
|
Test Administrators |
1 041 |
|
Total |
1 157 |
Marking
|
10 |
|
|
Senior Markers |
43 |
|
Markers |
408 |
|
Total |
461 |
In addition to the staff indicated above there are backroom staff members responsible for the planning, analysis, technology and all other necessary activities.
- Remuneration from the budget = R23.5 million
(c) 7: 1 Director of Research; 1 Personal Assistant; 4 Research Assistants; and 1 Statistician.
- There are no financial benefits for schools who perform better. No budget has been made available for any incentives.
(3) (a) In 2018, the Department, from its internal processes, suspected an irregularity in the Cape Winelands Education District following observations that were made by a testing team member. The Department was also approached by a whistle blower regarding a similar irregularity in Metro Central Education District.
An investigation was conducted into the alleged irregularities. Procedural risks were identified in the investigation. The Department also determined that the two alleged irregularities were connected, with the source of the irregularity found to be an external SGB employee.
In 2022, it was reported to the Department that one paper was left unaccounted for following the administration of the 2022 systemic test at a school in Metro East Education District. Action was immediately taken, with the script being secured by the Department, as per protocol.
- Following the irregularities in 2018, the structural design of the tests was amended which would make possession of previous test papers irrelevant.
In addition, the training of test administrators was closely monitored to ensure that the security and confidentiality aspects were addressed adequately.
- (a) Yes, please see above. However, the process coincided with the remodelling of the testing programme in the light of international best practice to make access to testing items irrelevant in the testing situation.
-
-
-
-
- The copies of the reports have not been made public.
-
-
-
- See 3(b) above.
