Scots 'disadvantaged' by exam results delay

Five thousand Scottish students are still awaiting their exam results after inaccurate or incomplete results were sent out, the Scottish Qualifications Authority confirmed yesterday.

Five thousand Scottish students are still awaiting their exam results after inaccurate or incomplete results were sent out, the Scottish Qualifications Authority confirmed yesterday.

About 2,000 Scottish students should be informedof their correct results by mail tomorrow, 14 days late.

Results from Higher and Certificate of Sixth Year Studies are needed urgently so that Scottish students can compete with English students for the remaining university places.

Admissions officers have said that Scottish students who enter the clearing process late will be at a disadvantage.

A spokeswoman said the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service was due to receive the correct results last night so that it could start processing applications for university places. The remaining 3,000 pupils affected can expect letters "in the very near future". A helpline will open today for students to check their results: the number is 0141-242 2160

Opposition calls for the resignation of Sam Galbraith, the Education minister, continued yesterday. Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's shadow education minister in the Scottish Parliament, said it was "totally unacceptable" an independent inquiry into the fiasco would not investigate Mr Galbraith's role. "It has also emerged that not only were there administrative and IT problems but serious managerial blunders led to many novice exam markers being stranded without instructions."

Peter Peacock, the Scottish deputy education minister, said that Ms Sturgeon was "solely preoccupied with seeking a political scalp".