Investigators for the inquiry sent an email early last week, encouraging schools to make submissions about the impact of Novopay on their operations.
However, a technical error with the inquiry team's database meant some schools did not receive the email and it had to be resent.
Otago Primary Principals' Association president Whetu Cormick said it was not the only problem he had encountered with Novopay communications.
He said his work computer was able to receive emails from Novopay, but was unable to return emails because Novopay's system did not recognise his email address.
''It's a joke. I thought, `What's going on - issues with Novopay and email?'''I'm concerned. Here they are, making an inquiry, and obviously their database isn't up to date.
''If they can't even send out an email, how can they run a successful inquiry into Novopay's faults.
''I don't think it bodes well.''
The email invited schools to make a submission incorporating the experiences of principals, payroll administrators, teachers and other staff, and boards of trustees, and how Novopay had affected their school's operations.
Education sector representative groups were also invited to write submissions.
The deadline for filing submissions is 5pm on April 18.
Mr Cormick said it was too little time to make a proper submission.
''I have to discuss what we're going to put in our submission with a lot of people, which is very time consuming.
''They could have called for submissions earlier.''
The Ministerial Inquiry investigators will investigate the Novopay project through the entire life cycle - from the initiation of the business case through to the procurement process, contract negotiation and vendor selection.
They will then review the design, build and delivery of the payroll system itself, including the testing, implementation and go-live project stages, which included support services, change management, communications and training.
The email said schools' submissions would be analysed and the findings would form part of the report to Minister in Charge of Novopay Steven Joyce when the inquiry was completed.john.lewis@odt.co.nz
