Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, education adviser to the government, stated that the results of this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have taken everyone by surprise. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat on Thursday, October 16, he said the outcome reveals a harsh truth that had been masked for years in an attempt to show improved performance in the education sector.
He said, “For a long time, the actual crisis in our education system was hidden behind artificially inflated results. This year, students were awarded marks based strictly on what they deserved. The Ministry of Education cannot shy away from its responsibility.”
Abrar added that the current results should be seen as an opportunity for self-assessment. The ministry plans to thoroughly investigate the reasons behind the poor performance to find solutions and ensure better outcomes in the future.
Teachers’ movement and other updates
Commenting on the ongoing protests by MPO-listed teachers, he said that the government is actively considering raising housing allowances on a percentage basis. Regarding the issue of the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University, he mentioned that a draft law will be sent to the Ministry of Law after holding discussions with all concerned parties.
Board chairman’s remarks
Professor Khondoker Ehsanul Kabir, chairman of the Dhaka Education Board and head of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, said that this year’s results have revealed the real picture of student performance. He pointed out that many students are becoming increasingly detached from their studies, and this should be a cause of concern for both educators and parents.
According to board data, the highest failure rates were recorded in English and ICT (Information and Communication Technology). Notably, the pass rate in English dropped from 77 percent last year to just 58 percent this year — the lowest in two decades.
HSC 2025 result summary
The results of the HSC and equivalent exams under nine general education boards, along with the Madrasah and Technical boards, were published simultaneously at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
- Overall pass rate: 58.83 percent
- Significant failure rates in English and ICT
- Thousands of students failed in key subjects
This year’s unexpected results have triggered serious discussions about the quality of education, teaching methods, and student readiness across Bangladesh.
