Secondary students in Christchurch faced a disruption during their NCEA exams when the online system failed to load. Ali Harper, a local entertainer and parent, expressed frustration over the situation. His son was among those affected, having to abandon his laptop and switch to handwritten papers. The technical failure caused significant stress for students. The exam system, which was supposed to be online, did not function properly. As a result, many students had to complete their exams manually. Harper criticized the lack of preparation for such a scenario. The incident has raised questions about the reliability of digital exam systems. Officials have not yet commented on the issue. The situation highlights the challenges of relying on technology for critical assessments. Parents and students are calling for better backup plans. The education sector is under pressure to improve its digital infrastructure.