Explainer: Why SSC pass rate hit a 17-year low
Experts say the declining pass rate could stem from a range of issues including poor preparation, recent student movements, or broader socio-economic challenges
Highlights:
- Rajshahi tops with 77.63%, Barishal lowest at 56.38%
- Madrasah: 68.09%, Technical: 73.63% pass rates
- Dhaka Board chief says focus was on fair evaluation, not GPA boost
- Sylhet Board cites July unrest a factor for poor results
- Barishal Board cites strict exams, not a 'disaster'
- Cheating curbed; remote areas saw stricter oversight
- Govt ends over-marking trend, says DU professor
- No grace marks given this year
- Experts urge targeted help for failing schools
This year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams saw the lowest pass rate in 17 years, with just 68.45% of students passing overall across the country.
Among the nine general education boards, Rajshahi Board topped the list with 77.63% pass rate while Barishal Board recorded the lowest pass rate at 56.38%. Dhaka Board reported a pass rate of 67.51%.
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This year, the pass rate in the Madrasah Education Board is 68.09%, and in the Technical Education Board, it is 73.63%.
Following the results today, Dhaka Education Board Chairman Professor Dr Khandokar Ehsanul Kabir said the aim of this year's SSC exams was not to manipulate GPA scores but to ensure a fair and proper evaluation process.
Meanwhile, Sylhet Education Board Chairman Md Anwar Hossain Chowdhury stated that academic preparation was hampered by last year's July uprising, contributing to a nationwide decline in SSC pass rates.
Barishal Education Board Chairman Professor Yunus Ali Siddiqui told The Business Standard that the record-low SSC pass rate this year should not be seen as a disaster.
"Those who studied and took the exam seriously performed well," he said, attributing the outcome to stricter exam environments and a renewed focus on fairness.
July movement's impact on classes reflected in SSC exam results: Sylhet board chairman
He noted that, following government instructions to ensure cheating-free examinations, efforts were made to uphold exam integrity even in remote areas through the active involvement of six district administrators in Barishal division.
"An environment has been created where, if you don't study, you can't just show up and pass the exam," he said.
According to Siddiqui, there may have previously been leniency in awarding marks, but this time, answer scripts were evaluated strictly on merit. "We told examiners to give students only what they truly deserve and we did just that."
What experts say
Dr Mohammad Moninur Rashid, professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research (IER), said the declining pass rate could stem from a range of issues including poor preparation, recent student movements, or broader socio-economic challenges.
However, he emphasised that one major factor is a shift in government policy in evaluation process.
"The previous government aimed to boost public satisfaction by inflating SSC and HSC results, under the assumption that higher pass rates signaled educational success," he said. "Examiners were subtly guided to award marks generously, regardless of content."
Lowest SSC pass rate in 17 years as over 6 lakh students fail
He pointed out that for the past 15 years, over-marking became a norm for political reasons.
"This practice is exposed by the Dhaka University admission test, where nearly 90% of students fail. Many of those with 'A+' or 'A' grades simply didn't deserve them," he added.
He went on to say, "The current government appears to be reversing that trend by tightening evaluation standards."
Professor SM Hafizur Rahman, also from the IER, echoed the sentiment, stating that the results more accurately reflect students' actual academic performance.
"This time, grace marks were not given, and previous leniencies in marking were withdrawn," he said, identifying this as a major reason behind the sharp drop in pass rates.
He also raised concern over institutions where no students passed and called for targeted intervention.
"Schools with pass rates below 20% need special attention. Specific development projects should be taken up for these high-risk institutions," he said.
Highlighting a broader structural issue, he added, "Our education system relies too heavily on centralised policies. This result shows that we need regional strategies tailored to local needs, rather than one-size-fits-all national approaches."
