NAPLAN testing running behind schedule and over budget

NAPLAN is just one of the victims as state government IT projects run behind schedule and over budget.

THE cost of getting Queensland schools ready to sit annual NAPLAN tests online has blown out by $1.4 million, and the project is running almost a year behind schedule, according to new government data.

The Department of Education’s latest information and communications technology report reveals IT costs associated with moving the standardised literacy and numeracy test from a pencil and paper-based test to computerised assessment in 2020 have now hit $18.1 million, up from initial estimates of $16.7 million.

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The project — originally due to be completed by August next year ahead of the planned nationwide rollout of online NAPLAN testing in April in 2020 — is now also predicted to be delayed until June 2020.

The NAPLAN online transition is one of more than a dozen Education Department IT projects that are delayed or over budget, according to updated data published by the Queensland Government.

Across the 20 Department of Education ICT projects, 15 are now running behind their original timeframe.

Nine of the 20 projects is experiencing budget blowouts, with the total additional hit to taxpayers across all projects now estimated to be $7.3 million.

Yet despite this, only five projects have changed in scope.

A project designed to improve wi-fi coverage in Queensland schools to support the use of iPads and over devices for learning will now cost taxpayers $45 million, up from initial estimates of $41 million, and is currently running two years behind its initial completion date.

Opposition education spokesman Jarrod Bleijie said it was not good enough that the majority of projects were running behind schedule.

“Education Minister Grace Grace should be focused on spending more money in our schools, not wasting it on ICT project blowouts,” Mr Bleijie said.

“These projects would enhance student learning and assist teachers in our classrooms and delivering them on time and on budget should be Labor’s priority.”

The Department of Education did not respond to The Courier Mail’s questions about the IT projects.