Recommendation 13

It was recommended that the Department of Education:

Introduce system-level controls for the Student Administration Management System (SAMS), including reviewing access and security, passwords, exception reporting and further audit and compliance checks to identify anomalies, on a regular basis.

That the department reinforce to all staff SAMS users the requirement on entering student enrolment and attendance data. This should include advice about false entry or manipulation of figures and potential ramifications under the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2017 or other relevant Acts.

That the department seek an update on implementation of the Auditor-Generals recommendations into SAMS, which may include an interagency working group to identify opportunities to further strengthen controls and audits.

The Office of the ICAC (OICAC) notes that there is scoping underway for replacement of SAMS with a contemporary student management system that is fit for purpose and better able to detect anomalies automatically. Given the risks associated with the current system and challenges of oversight of a geographically spread, remote school system, OICAC recommends that the new system be scoped and adequately resources as a priority.

Status

This recommendation has been completed.

Recommendations 13 and 14 both related to enrolment and attendance reporting of students and therefore a combined approach was implemented. SAMS has been reviewed. As a result, new controls have been introduced and existing processes have been strengthened while a new student management system is being established.