ISLAMABAD, April 5: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU)’s students of M.Ed course (code 840) have been asked to reappear in the examination as the university has lost the set of their answer sheets, Dawn has learnt. In this regard, the secrecy section of AIOU’s examination branch has sent a letter to the students with subject “loss of bundle and conduct of special examination for M.Ed 840, spring semester”.

The letter signed by the deputy controller of examinations, FM Zahid, stated that under the university rules, in case of loss of answer sheets, the university would arrange re-examination of the paper as soon as possible.

It further said: “It has been decided by the competent authority that special examination of M.Ed 840 course may be conducted on April 1, 2006, at FG Boys Comprehensive School, Sector G-7/2, without charging additional fee from you. You are required to appear in this special examination, so that your result could be compiled shortly.”

A couple of students, requesting anonymity, argued that it was difficult for them to reappear in a paper whose result they were awaiting.

“Some students received this intimation at the eleventh hour, while others were not in the position to retake the exam. This is injustice to us,” they added.

Besides criticizing the university administration for the mess, they called for an immediate inquiry into the matter to bring those responsible to book.