Nearly 36% of regular students skip HSC exams

A worrying trend has emerged alongside the start of this year's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, with nearly 36 percent of regular students failing to appear for the tests, according to an analysis of the latest data from the Ministry of Education and education boards.

Official statistics show that around 15 lakh students registered in Class XI two years ago. However, only about 9,50,000 regular candidates completed registration for this year's HSC examinations, meaning nearly 5,50,000 students dropped out before reaching the final examination stage.

The dropout rate has risen sharply from just over 29 percent last year to nearly 36 percent this year, marking an increase of around seven percentage points within a year and raising fresh concerns over student retention in higher secondary education.

Among the education boards, the Bangladesh Technical Education Board recorded the highest dropout rate, with more than 54 percent of regular students failing to submit examination forms.

The situation is also concerning in other streams. The dropout rate stands at 33.04 percent under the general education boards and 44.07 percent under the Madrasah Education Board. Compared with last year, every education board has recorded an increase in the number of students who did not reach the HSC examination.

Education researchers and sector experts attribute the rising dropout rate to a combination of social and economic challenges, including inadequate academic preparation, increased child marriage following the COVID-19 pandemic, financial hardship and a growing tendency among students to enter the workforce after completing the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination.

A preliminary assessment by the Dhaka Education Board suggests that many students voluntarily defer the examination due to insufficient preparation, while others gradually disengage from their studies after registration.

Board officials say a comprehensive study will be conducted to determine why the dropout rate has increased so significantly within a single year.

Despite the sharp decline in regular candidates, the HSC and equivalent examinations began across the country on Thursday (July 2) with a total of 1,270,583 candidates, including regular and irregular examinees, sitting the examinations at 2,697 centres nationwide.

Authorities have introduced a common question paper across the general education boards and warned of strict legal action against anyone spreading rumours or misleading information about the examinations on social media.