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‘Human error’ caused mistakes in 32,000 B.C. Grade 12’s transcripts: education minister

Fleming said that ‘grades will be communicated directly to post-secondary institutions’
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B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming. (Black Press Media file)

Human error was what caused 32,000 Grade 12 students to receive incorrect transcripts this week, according to B.C.’s education minister.

Rob Fleming said in a statement that the mistake happened when data was being “manually transferred between systems.”

The mixup, made public late Tuesday, sent many students and parents into a panic. Many post-secondary institutions require final transcripts to be submitted by early August to confirm enrolment, while others require printed originals.

READ MORE: B.C. Grade 12s issued incorrect marks, final exam results in ‘tabulation anomaly’

The B.C. government said that as of Wednesday, the online transcripts will be correct.

Parents, like Langley mom Jane Illot, were concerned that late transcripts might hamper her son Callum’s ability to confirm his enrolment with the Royal Military College in Kingston.

“He’s waiting to show the Royal Military College that yes, he has passed Grade 12, he has passed these exams. They don’t have these exams in Ontario,” Illot said. “I can’t really see that they’re going to be incredibly patient getting his transcript.”

READ MORE: B.C.-wide Grade 12 test error could dash Langley teen’s military dreams, mom worries

Some institutions, like the University of Alberta, confirmed they will allow B.C. students extra time.

Fleming said grades will be sent directly to schools.

“This has caused anxiety for students and their families, and I want to assure them that this will not have an impact on admission to colleges and universities.”

The error was discovered Monday after school officials contacted the ministry about marks that didn’t seem right.

The mistake affected five provincial exams taken by 32,000 students between June 22 and June 23, including Communications 12, English First Peoples 12, English 12 and French Language Arts 12.


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