Govt considers ‘retake’ for SSC-failed students in 3 months

The government is considering to allow students who fail the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations to retake their exams within three to six months from 2027, rather than waiting a full year, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin said.

He also announced a plan to help unsuccessful students explore career opportunities through vocational training, language courses and potential financial support for small businesses.

He made the remarks at the Challenged Students Conference 2026, jointly organised by Gono Shakkhorota Abhiyan and Plan International Bangladesh at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Saturday.

Mahdi Amin said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had, for the first time in the country’s history, directed the authorities to prepare a list of students who fail to obtain satisfactory results in the SSC examinations.

According to him, the Education Ministry is discussing the initiative with the chairmen and secretaries of the education boards. Depending on their interests and skills, students may receive training at technical institutes or enrol in technical and vocational education programmes.

The government is also exploring opportunities for overseas employment. Mahdi Amin said students could benefit from three- to six-month language courses in Japanese, Korean, Chinese or selected European languages to improve their employment prospects in foreign labour markets.

He noted that even some students who complete higher secondary and university education struggle to secure jobs, while targeted vocational and language training could help others enter the workforce more directly.

On the proposed retake system, he said teachers and guardians had suggested allowing students to sit for another examination within three months, particularly those who fail in only one subject.

The possibility of allowing them to retake only the failed subject is also under discussion, he added.
Mahdi Amin said the government would consider the proposal positively and expressed optimism that changes could be introduced.