Why dropped pass rate in SSC, equivalent exams?

The results of the SSC and equivalent examinations are a significant chapter in the lives of students. At the end of primary and secondary education, students in Bangladesh rely on these results to enter higher secondary education. The results of the SSC and equivalent exams determine the foundation of their future lives. Today, Thursday (10 July), the results of the SSC and equivalent exams have been published. This time, the education boards are releasing the results separately.

According to news reports, in the 2025 Secondary School Certificate and equivalent examinations, 139,032 students obtained GPA-5. Among those who achieved GPA-5, 73,616 were girls and 65,416 were boys. According to the available data, both the pass rate and the number of GPA-5 achievers have decreased this time. This year, the average pass rate is 68.45 percent. Last year, it was 83.4 percent. That means the pass rate has dropped by 14.95 compared to last year.

The drop in pass rate and GPA-5 achievers is alarming. The reason behind this decline must be examined carefully. After the mass uprising of 2024, educational institutions were closed for a long time. Many students participated in the uprising. Some lost friends, and some were injured. It took time for a proper educational environment to return to institutions after the uprising. Is this the reason behind the lower pass rate and GPA-5 results?

Compared to rural areas, results were better in urban areas this time. The reason is clear—educational institutions in urban areas are of better quality than those in villages. Another noticeable matter is that, as in the past ten years, girls outperformed boys again this time. The pass rate for girls is 71.03 percent, while for boys it is 65.88 percent. An analysis of SSC and equivalent results over the last 11 years shows that the last time boys had a higher pass rate than girls was in 2015. This matter also deserves research. Why are boys performing worse? Are they losing focus on studies?

Another issue deserves discussion. Various studies have shown that the previous Awami League government inflated the pass rate in several ways. Many schools had unrestricted opportunities for cheating. There were tendencies to manipulate results in various dishonest ways. This year, cheating was less prevalent, and there was no opportunity for result manipulation—could this also be a reason for the decline in pass rate and GPA-5 scores?

Whatever the case may be, the matter certainly calls for research. The results have been published today, and surely soon education stakeholders will express their opinions. Another worrying issue is that on the first day of the examination, 26,928 students were absent in 3,715 centres across the country. Later, this number increased. In total, around 1.9 million students took part in the exams. What is the reason behind the drop in examinees after the exam began? Perhaps, without the opportunity to cheat, they were not encouraged to sit for the next exams.

Altogether, this year’s SSC and equivalent exam results have raised many questions. Teachers and education researchers will surely provide appropriate answers. We want the matter to be considered with utmost seriousness.

Finally, congratulations to all students who have done well in this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Those who, for any reason, did not achieve good results should not be disheartened. Instead, they should move forward with renewed determination. Doing well in the SSC and equivalent exams is certainly an important chapter in life, but it is not the final one. In the end, results do not determine everything. Because it has been seen that many students who achieved good results in SSC and equivalent exams have dropped out later. Conversely, many who failed to do well in these exams have found success in various aspects of life. Ultimately, success in life depends on honesty, skills, and perseverance. Best wishes to all from Views Bangladesh.