Troubled VCAA blows additional $600k on delayed website project for senior students

The state’s embattled Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority has suffered a $600,000 cost blowout to its new online student portal.

A Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority project to give students easier access to exam timetables and student records has cost an additional $600k.

The state’s troubled Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority has suffered a $600,000 cost blowout to its new online student portal, which was due to be completed in August.

The Herald Sun can reveal the student portal project – which will give senior students access to enrolment details, exam timetables and academic records through a new digital channel – has had its delivery cost climb from $2.41m to $3.03m.

The project’s revised delivery date also appears to not have been met.

It initially had a planned delivery end date of March 31 this year, but this was brought forward to a revised delivery end date of August 16 last year.

A dashboard containing details of the project’s progress said the project status was “amber” due to “additional scope to be included in the system”.

An extension was also requested for “user acceptance testing”.

Once completed, it’s anticipated the website will reduce reliance on paper records, contribute to a reduction in costs, improve customer satisfaction and be more efficient for users.

The Herald Sun contacted the VCAA for comment, but it failed to respond by deadline.

The student portal project has had its delivery cost climb from $2.41m to $3.03m.

Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson questioned how students could have “confidence in the VCAA’s ability to manage their education when they cannot get a basic website right”.

“Delivering a student portal with records and timetables should be straightforward and the Allan Labor Government must explain why this project has blown out by $600,000,” she said.

It’s just another blow to the authority which is still in damage control after November’s year 12 exam scandal, which saw at least 65 tests compromised after hidden text unveiling some exam questions was published on cover sheets.

Thousands of students were impacted by the bungle, which occurred after two years of mistakes in VCE exams set by the VCAA.

The authority will be investigated in an independent “root-and-branch” review this year, led by former Monash University deputy chancellor Dr Yehudi Blacher to understand it’s structures and operations, and how the leaks occurred.

Former NSW auditor general Margaret Crawford has also been hired as an independent monitor to oversee this year’s VCE exams.

Ms Wilson said the VCAA was in desperate need of a complete overhaul.

“Unfortunately, Labor has refused to refer the VCAA to the Victorian Ombudsman for a comprehensive and independent investigation to help restore confidence in the troubled organisation,” she said.

Originally published as Troubled VCAA blows additional $600k on delayed website project for senior students