Lose of ACCA script

The following letter is written by a student which is affected by this incident :

A letter was sent to students stated that a number of ACCA examination scripts had been stolen from a secure courier van during a raid on 4 January 2005.The letter then went on to say, after apologies, that a special exam on 19 February had been organised for re-sits and that students (for Glasgow Centre) could attend a meeting on 26th January to raise any questions they had with ACCA representatives.

The letter also stated due to disruption, students would not have to pay fees for exams sat in Dec 2004 or for sittings in Jun and Dec 2005. Students would also not be charged for subscription fees for the next 3 years.At the actual meeting, there were a panel of four ACCA representatives and the Director of Education.

Mr Protherow explained that CAT papers from Malaysia and 2.6 papers had been stolen from a secure courier van in Notts, UK while the driver was on his break. The 2.6 papers had been marked but no copy taken of these marks and the CAT papers had not been marked. He then covered the options which had been available to ACCA, ie give passes to all students , give average marks or do re-sits.

The reason re-sits were chosen was that they had consulted with Department of Trade and Industry and Profession of Accountants, who advised that all students must be examined at the same level of knowledge. To give passes or average marks would not give any evidence that students had acquired the knowledge to pass the exam. He stated that both these bodies would question ACCA's professionalism if they gave unqualified passes to students.

The meeting then progressed to open questions and answers from students and the ACCA representatives.The main points raised by students were:

Would students be sitting same exam and how would it be marked?
What were options if students could not re-sit on 19 February?
Why did it take three weeks to inform students about theft of papers?
Why are there time limits on no fees for examinations?

And many more.......ACCA representatives responded in following way:

Students won't be re-sitting same exam, but the exam will be marked taking into account limited revision time and stress to all involved.
If students cannot re-sit on 19 February, they can resit at normal exam times.
This re-sit will not be charged for on any occasion.
There will be special examinations for those who choose to resit paper 2.6 in June along with paper 3.6 which is held on same day.One will be in morning and one will be in afternoon.
The next four subject attempts will not be charged for, whenever student decides to sit them.

ACCA will be summarising all points raised and any action to be taken in writing.