The minister has directed authorities to take steps within one week, as 293 institutions recorded no successful candidates in this year’s HSC and equivalent examinations.
Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Haque Milon has directed authorities to hold educational institutions with zero or very low pass rates accountable within one week.
The minister shared the directive in a post on his verified Facebook account on Sunday. He said authorities must take specific measures against institutions with no successful candidates or alarmingly low pass rates.
The directive came a day after the results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations were published on Saturday.
According to the published results, 293 educational institutions across Bangladesh recorded a zero pass rate this year. This means no candidate from these institutions passed the examinations. Last year, the number stood at 202, marking an increase of 91 institutions.
Meanwhile, 139 institutions achieved a 100 percent pass rate, meaning all their candidates passed the examinations.
Minister considers reforms for zero-pass institutions
Speaking at the result announcement ceremony, Milon said the government would consider reforms at institutions where no students passed.
“We will consider how to reform educational institutions where no students pass. We will also consider whether these institutions can be merged with nearby educational institutions,” he said.
However, the minister made it clear that teachers at institutions with zero pass rates would not lose their jobs.
Teachers may face disciplinary measures
Meanwhile, Professor Dr. Syed Aktaruzzaman, president of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and chairman of the Dhaka Education Board, outlined possible disciplinary measures.
Speaking to Daily Shiksha.com on Saturday, he said authorities would apply measures similar to those used against institutions with zero pass rates in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations.
He explained that institutions recording a zero pass rate for the first time would receive warnings and show-cause notices. A show-cause notice requires an institution or individual to explain the reasons behind a particular failure.
However, institutions repeatedly recording zero pass rates could face stricter action. The Monthly Pay Order (MPO) benefits of teachers at those institutions may be suspended.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education may take decisions on such matters. Education boards will also investigate the reasons behind the poor examination results.
What happens next?
The minister’s directive sets a one-week deadline for authorities to take specific steps against institutions with zero or very low pass rates.
The proposed measures include institutional reforms and possible mergers with nearby institutions. Authorities will also examine the reasons behind the poor results before deciding on further action.
The process will focus on institutional accountability while the minister has ruled out job losses for teachers solely because their institutions recorded zero pass rates.
