Md Tanzim Hossain, Chattogram City

The pass rate for the 2024 HSC exams under the Chittagong Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board stands at 70.32%, ranking seventh among the nine general education boards in the country.

According to officials, the main reasons behind this decline are the high failure rate in English, poor performance in the Humanities stream, and a drop in pass rates in Cox's Bazar and the three hill tracts districts outside the Chittagong metropolitan area.

Professor A.M.M. Mujibur Rahman, Controller of Examinations for the Chittagong Board, stated, "English has seen the highest failure rate this year, with 68.89% of students failing the subject, which has significantly impacted the overall results. Students from the Humanities stream and marginal institutions have particularly struggled in English, contributing to the lower pass rate in this group."

The declining pass rates in Cox's Bazar and the three hill districts have further affected the board's overall results. Professor Rezaul Karim, Chairman of the Chittagong Board, remarked, "While the results in the metropolitan area are good, the poor performance in the upazilas, Cox's Bazar, and the three hill tracts districts has negatively influenced the overall outcome. Every year, the hill tracts districts have a notable impact on our results. When their pass rates are low, the board's overall pass rate also drops."

In terms of district-wise pass rates, the metropolitan area recorded an 84.22% pass rate, while the rest of Chittagong district saw a pass rate of 63.62%. Cox's Bazar had a pass rate of 63.19%, while the hill districts of Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachari recorded pass rates of 59.90%, 60.32%, and 59.63%, respectively, all lower than last year’s rates.

Board officials believe that improving the standard of education in the hill districts and enhancing students' proficiency in English will be crucial for improving future results.