Ranchi, May 24: Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has decided to go for re-totalling of maths marks in both matriculation and intermediate 2014 after receiving several queries from depressed students on their poor performance in the subject.

The state board had floated toll-free numbers — 0651-6453348 and 18003456523 — to receive queries from examinees and offer counselling soon after the publication of matriculation and intermediate results on April 29 and May 10, respectively. While the counselling window for matriculation was from April 30 to May 7, the special help was on offer for intermediate candidates from May 12 to May 19.

But what left the experts manning the helplines stumped is the concern among the students about their below-average performance in maths.

In fact, JAC itself had admitted after intermediate results were out that though they had witnessed a record success rate in science — an unprecedented 63.65 per cent — the examinees performed poorly in maths. They got minimum marks in maths ranging between 38 and 58 per cent as compared to science subjects like physics and chemistry, where the score was above 70 per cent.

Concerned, the experts asked JAC officials to look into the matter. Following the requests, JAC vice-chairman Abdul Subhan decided to re-calculate maths marks for the satisfaction of students, parents and experts.

Confirming the move, Subhan told The Telegraph: “The council is going to invite experts in maths and also an examiner to discuss the matter. After a thorough discussion, steps will be taken to re-total the marks so that students, who secured poor scores or have failed in the subject, can rest assured that we have looked into their complaints.”

The vice-chairman added that after the counselling sessions got over, experts informed them that the students were really depressed with their performance in the long-dreaded subject and had even developed psychological problems.

“We were not aware that the students, especially from the science stream, are so depressed with their result. Our experts tried to calm them and assured them that the needful would be done. If everything is fine, it will take about a week’s time to wrap up the re-totalling process,” Subhan added.

An expert, who had monitored the helpline, said on the condition of anonymity that out of total 410 queries received from matriculate candidates, more than 200 related to maths, dubbed the toughest subject of all.

In intermediate, out of 154 queries received, over 100 pertained to the subject.

JAC officials also agreed that the students’ phobia of maths was a growing concern for them. Lakhs failed to clear the subject in matriculation and intermediate exams this year even after attending series of workshops organised for government schools and remedial classes.

Students welcome the council’s decision.

Rita Sharma, a plus two student of Mahendra Prasad Mahila Mahavidyalaya, said: “I secured only six marks in maths in matriculation and had applied for re-totalling of my score. Now, I am happy that the council has decided to do it on its own.”