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4892 [Tuesday, 29 October 2013Both unions were of the view that, apart from a few obstacles, the provincewas fully prepared for the NSC examinations for 2013.7. Site tour of the storage facilitiesApart from the engagements with the WCED and organised labour, thePortfolio Committee also undertook in-loco site visits to the storage,packaging and distribution facilities of the Department. The PortfolioCommittee was very impressed with the high standards and the heightenedsecurity at these facilities. Members of the Committee were able to tour thestorage facilities, loading/off-loading garages and the CCTV camera room.The delegation was shown the different storage facilities which housed thequestion papers and answer sheets and security measures in place. Theoperations room which housed the surveillance monitor (CCTV) capturedall footage from the surveillance cameras stationed around the facility. Allquestion papers were distributed from this central point to all schools.The delegation was also taken on a tour of the printing works wherequestion papers were printed for distribution to the main storage facility.Members of the Portfolio Committee gained first-hand experience of howthe questions papers were printed, packaged and made ready fordistribution. Members were able to tour the factory floor, control room andloading bays at the printing facility.8. Committee ObservationsThe Committee noted the following key issues and concerns regarding thestate of examination readiness in the Western Cape:• The Committee commended the Western Cape EducationDepartment for the sound working relationship and collaborationwith the National Department of Basic Education.• The Committee was interested to know how the WCED managedthe papers for both public and independent schools since mostindependent schools opted to write the NSC examinations.• There was concern around the arrangements where there was ashortage of markers for certain subjects.• The Committee was assured that the training for principals andinvigilators was sufficient.• The Committee was interested to know how the merging andclosing of schools in the province had affected learners – andwhether these learners received any additional support from theDepartment in respect of examination readiness. The WCEDhighlighted that the majority of schools involved in the mergers wereprimary schools, which were not participating in the NSCexaminationsANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS NO 147─2013