In the national achievement test held in April, it was found that the answers of 4 junior high school students in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, were lost and could not be scored. It is likely that it was disposed of as waste, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has apologized to the parents and said that it will test again for those who wish.
The national achievement test, with the exception of some English, was held on April 4 this year, and approximately 18 million sixth-graders and third-graders of junior high school participated.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the sheets answered by 6 junior high school students at Yuriage Elementary and Junior High School in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, were lost after collection, making it impossible to grade or return them.
An employee of Yamato Transport who came to collect the waste mistakenly pasted a slip for a package to be sent to a waste disposal company on a cardboard box containing an answer sheet.
Later, the mistake was realized, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Yamato Transport searched for waste disposal companies and related factories, but could not find them, and it is highly likely that the answer sheets were discarded.
The answer sheet had the class and attendance number written on it, but not the name of the school or name.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) will hold a parent briefing session on the evening of the 3st to apologize and conduct another test for students who wish.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) said, "We sincerely apologize for the great concern and inconvenience caused, and we will make efforts to prevent a recurrence."
Yamato Transport also commented, "We apologize for the inconvenience caused and will strive to prevent a recurrence."