| Date | November 2017 | Marks available | 10 | Reference code | 17N.1.HL.TZ0.4 |
| Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | 4 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
MSS is in Central Tanzania. This area of the country is subject to severe droughts every few years, and in other years there can be very heavy rain, causing floods and significant damage to roads. Malaria has been a concern, but a government health scheme is reducing cases of this disease in children of school-going age. Jacob is considering having a school contingency plan for such natural disasters.
Jacob is concerned that the financial position of the school is not as good as it could be. He has prepared a variance analysis for the most recent six months.
Jacob recognizes the need for change, but his experience tells him that change needs careful management and that if something works well it is best left alone. He is planning to create an internet connection for the school to help teachers and students to access more educational resources. However, this is likely to be expensive and a technical challenge due to the school’s remote location and underdeveloped infrastructure. He also has plans to improve classroom facilities, but the school does not, at the moment, have sufficient finance.
Mrs K is discussing with Jacob ways in which the school could become more efficient and improve examination results. She wants to increase teacher contact time with students. This would mean a better use of resources and should help students to learn more. She also wants teachers to observe each other’s lessons with the aim of making suggestions for improvements of teaching and learning methods. There could be additional duties for teachers, such as supervising students’ spare time and study time. Supervision is particularly important at weekends, when some teachers currently go home to their families.
Define the term contingency plan.
Explain the usefulness to MSS of the variance analysis in Table 1.
Explain two restraining forces relating to change at MSS.
Discuss human resource strategies that could reduce the impact on employees of the changes suggested by Mrs K.
Markscheme
A contingency plan is a systematic way of preparing for the unexpected. Can accept “planning”. This would be sufficient for [2].
The aim is to reduce the possible impact of unexpected and unwanted events. If the definition relies on natural disasters, emergencies, crisis etc rather than “unexpected” only award [1] unless it is clear these are examples and that there is a “plan.”
Award [1] for some understanding.
Award [2] for a clear definition which must include a sense of preparing for the unexpected/unwanted/crisis or similar words.
The variances suggest seeking answers to questions, helping future budgeting and identifying problems.
The calculations show lower than expected fees. This helps plan for teachers and other resources.
Higher than expected salaries. This helps questions such as “Have we recruited too many teachers”? and “Could we afford a pay increase?”.
Higher cash purchases suggests looking at the value to MSS of cash purchases made. The overall profit figure has changed a great deal so considerable need for concern.
Candidates are likely to explain the general meaning of variances and then illustrate their use by reference to the data in Table 1. However, do not reward a simple interpretation of the table without reference to use as this doesn’t answer the question.
A description only/definition only does not gain marks however a very clear description of variance analysis together with a very good example of use from Table 1 could achieve [4]. Otherwise:
Award [1] for each usefulness identified and [1] for its relevance to MSS, usually with reference to numbers.
Restraining forces include:
- poor electricity supply
- does the school have the expertise?
- limited finance available
- no internet
- maybe other priorities
- construction/implementation problems.
Accept other reasonable alternative answers.
Award [1] for identifying each restraining force and [1] for linking that force to MSS.
Proposed changes suggested by Mrs K:
- Increase teacher contact time with students
- Observe each other’s lessons and make suggestions for improvements
- Additional duties for teachers
Possible strategies include:
- involving teachers in the decisions and their implementation
- allowing teachers to have employee representatives
- making sure staff understand the reasons for change
- bringing the changes in gradually
- making sure training is available – this may solve a range of problems
- working to ensure everyone shares Jacob’s vision.
This question is more about management of change than human resources and high mark answers should reflect that.
Accept reasonable alternative answers.
Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 1 markbands for May 2016 forward.
Award a maximum of [4] for a purely theoretical answer with no effective use of additional case material or reference to management of change.
Award a maximum of [4] if the candidate only analyses/evaluates Mrs K’s changes.
Award a maximum of [5] if only one strategy is considered in context.
Award a maximum of [5] if there is no reference to the changes suggested by Mrs K.
Award a maximum of [6] if more than one strategy is considered but there is limited use of data.
Award a maximum of [8] if strategies/impacts are considered, there is good use of data, but lack judgement(s).
For full marks more than one strategy should be considered, data used effectively, a clear development of the impact on employees given and judgements are made.
