❓ A WA parliamentary question raises concerns about the costly tender for the RM Australasia school information system (SIS), questioning its effectiveness and value for money compared to local alternatives. The Minister responds, defending the selection process and highlighting the system's features and implementation progress, while noting schools' freedom to choose other software.
AnsweredQoN 479Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
A tender decision was announced in February 1998 under which the RM Australasia Pty Ltd school information system would be the new official administration system in schools. RM is a company based in England that has no site installation anywhere in Australia. According to a submission to the task force, to date SIS has not delivered the goods in outcomes pedagogy for a single high school. Western Australian companies with advanced technology proven systems are able to provide these services at lower cost, and are already doing so in the Catholic school system. In light of a request to the task force on support services and resources of 1 June 2001, will the minister urgently review the costly tender for the SIS school administration system and allow schools to enter into their own preferred version of software? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
The answer is dated 21 August and is correct as at that date. In its 1997 request for proposal, the department sought an integrated software approach that was user friendly for teaching and administrative staff, that was easy to support and that provided value for money. The outcome of the comprehensive and detailed evaluation process was the selection of a software package, which provided the best fit for the department’s requirements. These requirements included the need for the software to address school needs in curriculum, administrative, financial and management areas. The curriculum component was required to support the outcomes-focused pedagogy that we are seeking to embed in schools. The contract was awarded to RM Australasia Pty Ltd, which has offices in West Perth. By the end of term 3, 2001, 242 schools will have commenced implementation of the school information system. SIS has not been mandated and consequently schools may choose to purchase from the variety of commercially available computer packages. The curriculum manager is now being implemented at an increasing rate. Large senior high schools have deferred implementation until the timetabling module is implemented. The delivery of an outcomes pedagogy through technology can be achieved only when the school staff have been assisted in understanding this approach to teaching and learning. Implementation of curriculum manager has focused on primary schools. However, some secondary schools, in particular district high schools, are making use of the module. Yule Brook College, Bridgetown High School and Carnarvon Senior High School are also using the module to support their implementation of an outcomes focused approach. The Department of Education has already commenced an independent audit and review of the SIS project, which will give an indication of the value for money benefits of this strategic initiative.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: The answer is dated 21 August and is correct as at that date. In its 1997 request for proposal, the department sought an integrated software approach that was user friendly for teaching and administrative staff, that was easy to support and that provided value for money. The outcome of the comprehensive and detailed evaluation process was the selection of a software package, which provided the best fit for the department’s requirements. These requirements included the need for the software to address school needs in curriculum, administrative, financial and management areas. The curriculum component was required to support the outcomes-focused pedagogy that we are seeking to embed in schools. The contract was awarded to RM Australasia Pty Ltd, which has offices in West Perth. By the end of term 3, 2001, 242 schools will have commenced implementation of the school information system. SIS has not been mandated and consequently schools may choose to purchase from the variety of commercially available computer packages. The curriculum manager is now being implemented at an increasing rate. Large senior high schools have deferred implementation until the timetabling module is implemented. The delivery of an outcomes pedagogy through technology can be achieved only when the school staff have been assisted in understanding this approach to teaching and learning. Implementation of curriculum manager has focused on primary schools. However, some secondary schools, in particular district high schools, are making use of the module. Yule Brook College, Bridgetown High School and Carnarvon Senior High School are also using the module to support their implementation of an outcomes focused approach. The Department of Education has already commenced an independent audit and review of the SIS project, which will give an indication of the value for money benefits of this strategic initiative.
The answer is dated 21 August and is correct as at that date. In its 1997 request for proposal, the department sought an integrated software approach that was user friendly for teaching and administrative staff, that was easy to support and that provided value for money. The outcome of the comprehensive and detailed evaluation process was the selection of a software package, which provided the best fit for the department’s requirements. These requirements included the need for the software to address school needs in curriculum, administrative, financial and management areas. The curriculum component was required to support the outcomes-focused pedagogy that we are seeking to embed in schools. The contract was awarded to RM Australasia Pty Ltd, which has offices in West Perth. By the end of term 3, 2001, 242 schools will have commenced implementation of the school information system. SIS has not been mandated and consequently schools may choose to purchase from the variety of commercially available computer packages. The curriculum manager is now being implemented at an increasing rate. Large senior high schools have deferred implementation until the timetabling module is implemented. The delivery of an outcomes pedagogy through technology can be achieved only when the school staff have been assisted in understanding this approach to teaching and learning. Implementation of curriculum manager has focused on primary schools. However, some secondary schools, in particular district high schools, are making use of the module. Yule Brook College, Bridgetown High School and Carnarvon Senior High School are also using the module to support their implementation of an outcomes focused approach. The Department of Education has already commenced an independent audit and review of the SIS project, which will give an indication of the value for money benefits of this strategic initiative.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: The answer is dated 21 August and is correct as at that date. In its 1997 request for proposal, the department sought an integrated software approach that was user friendly for teaching and administrative staff, that was easy to support and that provided value for money. The outcome of the comprehensive and detailed evaluation process was the selection of a software package, which provided the best fit for the department’s requirements. These requirements included the need for the software to address school needs in curriculum, administrative, financial and management areas. The curriculum component was required to support the outcomes-focused pedagogy that we are seeking to embed in schools. The contract was awarded to RM Australasia Pty Ltd, which has offices in West Perth. By the end of term 3, 2001, 242 schools will have commenced implementation of the school information system. SIS has not been mandated and consequently schools may choose to purchase from the variety of commercially available computer packages. The curriculum manager is now being implemented at an increasing rate. Large senior high schools have deferred implementation until the timetabling module is implemented. The delivery of an outcomes pedagogy through technology can be achieved only when the school staff have been assisted in understanding this approach to teaching and learning. Implementation of curriculum manager has focused on primary schools. However, some secondary schools, in particular district high schools, are making use of the module. Yule Brook College, Bridgetown High School and Carnarvon Senior High School are also using the module to support their implementation of an outcomes focused approach. The Department of Education has already commenced an independent audit and review of the SIS project, which will give an indication of the value for money benefits of this strategic initiative.
The answer is dated 21 August and is correct as at that date. In its 1997 request for proposal, the department sought an integrated software approach that was user friendly for teaching and administrative staff, that was easy to support and that provided value for money. The outcome of the comprehensive and detailed evaluation process was the selection of a software package, which provided the best fit for the department’s requirements. These requirements included the need for the software to address school needs in curriculum, administrative, financial and management areas. The curriculum component was required to support the outcomes-focused pedagogy that we are seeking to embed in schools. The contract was awarded to RM Australasia Pty Ltd, which has offices in West Perth. By the end of term 3, 2001, 242 schools will have commenced implementation of the school information system. SIS has not been mandated and consequently schools may choose to purchase from the variety of commercially available computer packages. The curriculum manager is now being implemented at an increasing rate. Large senior high schools have deferred implementation until the timetabling module is implemented. The delivery of an outcomes pedagogy through technology can be achieved only when the school staff have been assisted in understanding this approach to teaching and learning. Implementation of curriculum manager has focused on primary schools. However, some secondary schools, in particular district high schools, are making use of the module. Yule Brook College, Bridgetown High School and Carnarvon Senior High School are also using the module to support their implementation of an outcomes focused approach. The Department of Education has already commenced an independent audit and review of the SIS project, which will give an indication of the value for money benefits of this strategic initiative.
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