Schools all set says Mallard

WELLINGTON - Most schools are well prepared for Y2K.

A representative sample of 161 schools was surveyed by the Education Review Office over the past six months.

The Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, said yesterday that the survey looked at school boards' planning, the advice they had sought and the actions they had taken to guard against risks from Year 2000 computer failure in their schools.

The schools had worked hard, said Mr Mallard.

Given a checklist by the Ministry of Education in July 1998, most had taken precautions to address the issue.

"Their administration and finance systems are the areas most at risk from non-compliant computer hardware and software, and the extent of the Y2K issue varies from school to school depending on the amount, purpose and age of computer hardware and software," he said.

"Most schools also took into account the vulnerability of microchip items like photocopiers, telephone and faxing systems, security and fire alarm systems, bell systems, video recorders and cameras and electrical appliances with time clocks."

Mr Mallard said the Secretary of Education had been notified of the few schools found to be unprepared or even unaware of the potential problem.

The ministry had also been involved in Y2K assurance checks on fire sprinklers and alarm systems.

No issues in these areas had still to be resolved in state schools. - NZPA