Students dissatisfied with their marks stage a protest in front of the CBSE regional office in Patna on Friday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, May 27: Most of the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) Class XII examinees were busy celebrating their results today but a few gathered at the CBSE regional office to protest against the alleged low marks awarded to them in English and mathematics.

The students who staged the protest feared that they had been awarded average marks in these subjects. Most of them claimed that they got far less than expectation in English. A few, who have cleared the IIT-JEE, claimed to have failed in the board examination.

Some got good marks in physics and chemistry but scored less than 15 in mathematics.

The protesting students demanded that the CBSE officials produce the answer papers to assuage their fear that they had been awarded average marks in a hurry to publish the results.

Rishabh Raj, a student, said: “I have cleared the IIT-JEE but failed in mathematics, physics and chemistry in the board exam. Is this possible?”

Another student said: “I have got more than 60 in all the subjects except mathematics. I have been given only 13 in it. My friends who have scored more than 80 in other subjects, have also got low marks.”

Unable to control her emotions, she started weeping.

A parent said: “It can be understood as this was the first time the CBSE regional office has published the results. But that does not mean they will create such problems and play with the future of the students. This is not done.”

In one wing of DAV School more than 25 students have got less than 15 in mathematics. The same students have, however, scored much better in other subjects.

A student claimed that he deserved to get at least 30 more marks in English. That would automatically bring up his overall total.

M.U. Sorte, secretary-cum-regional officer, CBSE, Bihar and Jharkhand, said: “CBSE has a reputation and does everything seriously. It cannot do such things. Those who have problems can apply for re-totalling of marks.”

He said: “Forms for re-totalling are being distributed and a student would be charged Rs 200 per subject. The forms are being given out from today and would be available for 21 days. Compartmental examination would be held on July 16.”

Sorte said the marks would only be recounted and there will not be any rechecking.