Data submission through the South African School Administration and Management System (SA-SAMS) has posed various challenges for independent schools. The matter has been exacerbated by lack of consistency across the nine Provincial Education Departments as far as data submission requirements are concerned.
The Department of Basic Education has consistently communicated to the National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations (NAISA) that independent schools can use 3rd party software packages that are LURITS-compliant for submission of quarterly learner data.
ISASA is, however, aware that some Provincial Education Departments now demand that independent schools use SA-SAMS and not LURITS-compliant 3rd party software packages.
ISASA has discussed this problem with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and agreed on a solution with two components that can be implemented in the short- and medium-term. The solution will also be proposed to other Provincial Education Departments.
ISASA has also engaged with the various provincial education departments, especially the GDE, around frequency of data submissions to LURITS and SA-SAMS.
Additional information is contained in the attached memoranda:
