When the SATS marking shambles was taken away from ETS back to the government's quango, it was pointed out here that schools secretary, Ed Balls' excuses had been blown right out of the water. He should be taught a lesson and quit.
Now the firm responsible for this summer's national test marking, ETS Europe, has had its contract scrapped, in any any other circumstances this would make his position untenable.
The secretary of state must have signed off the original £156m contract, taken briefings from his officials over the mess, authorised the switching back and the scrapping of the contract. So he is responsible. If he didn't, then who's running the country?
But instead he squirmed and just looked shifty - claiming it was not his fault.
Shadow education secretary, Michael Gove, said: "Ministers bear direct responsibility for signing up with a firm that let down children and teachers so badly." A view shared by LibDem Vincent Cable.
The sheer arrogance of a government minister, who can hide behind weak excuses while the fiasco unfolded, leaving parents and youngsters frantic with worry, is quite beyond belief.
These get-out clauses used by ministers for big IT projects are a scandal. Ministers are accountable and responsible. And if they don't like that, or they preside over a cock-up, they should quit the job.
No comments:
Post a Comment