Pearson edexcel honours 736 top achievers at OPLA 2025

Pearson Edexcel, the UK's largest awarding body, in partnership with the British Council, hosted the twelfth Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards (OPLA) on 21 November 2025, to recognise exceptional student achievements in the 2025 International Primary, International Lower Secondary, International GCSE, and International A Level examinations in Bangladesh.

The event took place at the Hall of Fame of the Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.

Kathryn Booth, Director of Pearson School Qualifications, attended as chief guest. Maxim Raimann, Exams Director, Bangladesh, at the British Council, and Sakib Ershad, Director of Trade and Investment at the British High Commission in Bangladesh, were present as special guests.

This year, 736 students were honoured for outstanding academic performance. Of these, twenty-four received World Highest awards, four earned Asia Highest awards, and forty-one achieved the Highest Marks in Bangladesh. Awardees included twenty-one iPrimary, one iLowerSecondary, 456 International GCSE, and 183 International A Level students.

Speakers included Kathryn Booth; Maxim Raimann; Sakib Ershad; Abdullah Al Mamun Liton, Regional Development Manager, Pearson Bangladesh and Nepal; and Jannatul Ferdous Sigma, Regional Development Manager, Pearson Bangladesh. They congratulated the awardees and acknowledged the vital role of teachers and parents.

In her remarks, Kathryn Booth encouraged students to remain curious and pursue lifelong learning. "The recognition you receive today is both a certificate of excellence and a credential for your future. Keep an open mind and a curious spirit, stay connected with your teachers, and use your talents to make a difference in the world around you," she said.

Maxim Raimann highlighted the importance of intergenerational learning: "Youth brings curiosity, adaptability, and purpose; age brings experience, stability, and wisdom. When we learn from one another, we all grow. At the British Council, we build bridges of understanding through education, helping every generation rise together."

Pearson representatives noted that Edexcel qualifications continue to create global academic opportunities for Bangladeshi students. Since 2012, the OPLA programme has recognised more than 8,000 learners for their academic excellence.