Failed SSC students demand supplementary exams, college admission

A group of students who failed this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations staged a demonstration outside the Dhaka Education Board office on Thursday (July 17), demanding the immediate arrangement of supplementary exams and the assurance of college admissions after those exams.

The protesters alleged that a flawed evaluation system and inconsistent exam standards across different boards contributed to the unusually high failure rate this year. They criticized the government's decision to implement reforms only in answer script evaluation while ignoring broader educational issues. Many also blamed the decision to stop awarding grace marks, which had been common in previous years, for pushing thousands of students toward failure.

The students warned that they would continue protesting until their demands were met. These include the introduction of supplementary exams, combining MCQ and written scores to determine pass marks, and allowing delayed college admission for those awaiting the supplementary exam results.

The education ministry has not yet responded to the students' demands.