RIYADH: Hundreds of Class 12 students at various Indian schools in the Kingdom as well as their parents have appealed to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), to which the schools are affiliated, to show leniency in evaluating the mathematics paper.

The students taking the ongoing CBSE Class 12th examination said on Thursday that the math paper on March 14 was extremely difficult and was at the level of IIT entrance exams for which special preparation is needed.

“I urge the CBSE to give grace marks and be lenient in evaluating the paper. We should be helped during this time of high pressure,” said one of the students.

One of the parents said: “The CBSE has shattered the dreams of several students by setting difficult and lengthy questions which reduced some students to tears. The board should take note of the students’ concerns.”

Students and parents from all over the Kingdom have expressed anxiety and supported the call for leniency in evaluating the math paper.

The matter has caused a national debate in India, where students and parents raised concerns and submitted online petitions to the CBSE appealing for leniency in marking the mathematics paper.

The problem has been mentioned in the Indian Parliament with several members raising concerns about the pressure students had been subjected to.

Federal minister Venkaiah Naidu said the matter “deserves inquiry” as even the best students had difficulties with the exam. He promised to bring the matter to the attention of Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani.

The CBSE public relations office issued a statement which said, “The CBSE Class 12 mathematics paper was held on March 14.

The feedback received from various stakeholders, including students and subject teachers, will be placed before the committee of subject experts and the board will take remedial measures before evaluation.”