Nearly 1,000 pupils in Northern Ireland have been sent a written apology from the examination board for a GCSE grading mistake.
The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments sent letters to the pupils who were given the wrong results for their home economics paper.
Re-grading resulted in 140 students’ results rising, but the vast majority were downgraded.
CCEA staff had applied AS-level grade boundaries to the subject and only noticed the mix-up when they realised no As had been printed on award slips - a mark that does not apply to the higher exams.
CCEA staff could face disciplinary action as a result of the internal investigation which is now underway.
The SDLP said today students whose results were lowered following revised marking should be allowed to retain their original result.
But Ms Patricia Lewsley, the SDLP’s education spokesperson called for an investigation by Mr Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland’s Minister for Education.
Ms Lewsley said: "Many of the children affected by this mistake will see the mark they believed they received drop by two grades, causing real distress to them and their families," she said.
"Perhaps in this instance he [Mr McGuinness] could show some compassion and take the necessary steps to allow these students to keep their grades," she continued.
Mr McGuinness expressed his sympathy to the affected pupils and said his department would want to be assured the necessary steps were taken to avoid any recurrence.
Additional reporting PA