§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will make a statement about the problems which delayed the provision of Key Stage 2 results to certain schools this year; [50385]
(2) what measures are being undertaken by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to ensure that the problems in making available this year's Key Stage 2 results do not occur again. [50386]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 13 July 1998]The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) are responsible for the collection and notification of Key Stage 2 results to schools. The problems affecting this year's exercise also apply to Key Stage 3 test results.
The Department was informed by QCA that there were significant problems, primarily relating to delays in the completion of the necessary work. On being informed we immediately told QCA to take action as a matter of urgency to both minimise disruption to schools and to ensure the accuracy and quality of results.
On 14 July QCA wrote to all schools explaining that it would not be possible to notify all results before the end of the summer term but that all schools would receive a complete set of accurate results by the end of August at the latest.
Ministers regard this whole episode as being an unacceptable state of affairs and an inquiry will be conducted to find the cause of the difficulties and to make sure this does not happen again.
The Chief Executive of QCA has written to all schools to apologise.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many schools will not receive their Key Stage 2 test results before the end of the summer term; [49508]
(2) how many schools have not received their (a) Key Stage 2 test results and (b) Key Stage 3 test results; [49509]
(3) what is the nature of the technical problems which have prevented the contractor employed to process and notify Key Stage 2 and 3 test results from completing the work on time; [49511]
(4) pursuant to his answer of 2 July 1998, Official Report, column 268, concerning Key Stage 2 and 3 test results, if he will identify the contractor and place a copy of the contract in the Library. [49513]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 8 July 1998]I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) today.
The contract is commercial-in-confidence and not available for general inspection.