Staff Reporter:

Not a single student from seven institutions in Sirajganj district passed the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations this year.

This scenario has come to light according to the results published a day before.

No student from five colleges could pass the Higher Secondary (HSC) exam, while all the examinees failed in the Alim exam in two madrasas. As a result, this year, seven educational institutions in the district recorded a cent percent failure rate or zero percent pass rate, which is the highest in the last seven years. It is also alleged that, several other madrasas are on the list of the failure rates.

According to relevant sources, the colleges with cent percent failure are: Khukni Multilateral High School and College in Shahjadpur upazila, Shahjadpur Dr. Mozaharul Islam Model College, Songachha Women’s College in Sirajganj Sadar, Madhunagar Adivasi Adarsh ​​College in Tarash upazila and Ranirhat Adarsh ​​College.

In addition, not a single candidate from Pukurpar S & B Fazil Madrasa and Banyankandi Alim Madrasa in Ullapara upazila could pass the equivalent examination held under the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board.

Guardians seem that, inefficiency of the principals, teacher shortage; irregular classes and lack of motivation of students etc are the main reasons behind the catastrophe of these educational institutions.

Rozina Akhter, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) in Sirajganj said, “Such result is very disappointing. We have to show cause the concerned principals. Necessary action would be taken after their replies.”

When attempts were made to contact with the principals of five colleges and two madrasas over their mobile phones for comments, they did not respond.

Education analyst and former principal of a college Md. Aminul Islam said that, “This disastrous result is bearing a warning for not only some institutions but also the entire district’s education system. Nepotism in the appointment of teachers at the college level, appointment of incompetent teachers in exchange for money, lack of administrative supervision and students’ inattention to studies due to excessive use of smartphones are among the reasons.”

A section of students said that, there is no learning atmosphere and teachers do not come to classes regularly even though they receive salaries month after month.

It is known that in the last seven years, so many educational institutions in Sirajganj district have not failed 100 percent at the same time. Last year, the number of colleges that failed 100 percent was two. This year, it has increased, with the addition of two madrasas.

In addition, with the change in the political landscape after August 5, various disasters have befallen the education system. Educationists believe that, the lack of security for qualified teachers, the competition of students to enter politics and leadership instead of studies, wasting time by skipping classes and participating in various programmes on the streets under various pretexts, etc. have made the education sector more vulnerable and unstable.

They say that, this result is not just a calculation of numbers, but it is a strong message about the deterioration of the quality of education. If effective steps are not taken quickly, students from the marginalized areas of the district will gradually be swept away from mainstream education, experts opined.