1.3 During 2010, the Committee undertook oversight visits to KwaZulu- Natal's Pinetown District as well as other regions with the same objective. The Committee observed that there were challenges relating to power failures in some examination centres, as well as security measures, staffing and conditions in storage facilities of the examination section (Report of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on oversight visits to Provincial Examination Centres, dated 16 November 2010). Part of the current oversight visit to this district was to evaluate the progress made in addressing these issues. In respect of the Northern Cape, the Committee had undertaken an oversight visit in October 2012 where it was appraised on issues around the protest action experienced in this region and their effect on education. Part of the current oversight visit was to assess progress to date in attending to these issues.