AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED EXAMINATION COMPUTER SYSTEM (NIECS) IN THE DEPARMENT OF EDUCATION AT LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate if the NIECS is being used effectively for the Learner
management by the examination officials in different examination sections.
Nationwide in South Africa, shortage of computer literate officials has become a critical
challenge in most of the organisations. Ehlers (2006:63) reiterated that worldwide a severe
shortage of professional computer literate people is expected to occur between 2005 and
2020.Since the introduction of National Integrated Examination Computer System (NIECS)
at Limpopo Province in 1999, the researcher observed reluctance among examination
officials in implementing the NIECS. The objective of the study was to describe the
perceptions of examination officials regarding the role of NIECS, to determine the effective
use of NIECS, and to identify barriers to the effective use of NIECS in learner management.
The research methodology employed in this study was the Quantitative descriptive simple
survey research design. The setting was at Department of Education, Limpopo Province. The
population was all examination officials who are working at Head Office, Polokwane, for the
purpose of learner management.Non probability, convenience sample of 80 examination
officials was used. Data was collected utilising a self report with 41 closed ended and open
ended questions. Raw data was fed into a SPSS with the assistance of a statistician. Data
analysis was conducted through use of descriptive statistics.
It was established that examination officials are not using NIECS effectively in learner
management. The majority of examination officials are data capturers and do not use other
modules like Resulting module and Certification. This is despite the fact that they have
indicated positive perceptions with regard to the role of NIECS in learner management.
Officials indicated that a workload is too large to provide the participants with enough time to
use the system, possibly suggesting the divergent workload that each of the participants may
possess. Lack of continuous in -service training was cited as barrier to the effective use of
NIECS in learner management.
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A problem of increased workload will remain a challenge for as long as available technology
is not used appropriately. It is recommended that staff development should incorporate
computer training in service management programmes.All officials in the organisations
should undergo compulsory basic computer literacy training. The training should be done as
part and parcel of induction and orientation programmes.