Zero pass at 2 Magura colleges as nearly 2,450 students fail

Two colleges in Magura district recorded a zero per cent pass rate in this year's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, with all 17 candidates from the institutions failing to pass.

The overall results across the district were also disappointing, as 2,449 of the 6,556 candidates from 35 colleges failed, raising concerns over teaching quality, students' academic preparation and institutional supervision.

Under the 2026 HSC examinations conducted by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Jashore, 15 students from Bajruk Srikundi College in Magura Sadar upazila and two from Gopinathpur MK School and College appeared for the examinations. None of them passed.

Notably, Bajruk Srikundi College has failed to produce a single successful candidate for two consecutive years.

According to data from the district education office, 4,107 of the 6,556 candidates from Magura's 35 colleges passed this year, putting the district's overall pass rate at 62.64 per cent.

The results have sparked concern among guardians and education-conscious citizens, particularly over the two institutions where every candidate failed.

Questions have also emerged about regular classroom instruction, teacher shortages, students' examination preparation and the effectiveness of academic supervision at the institutions.

District Education Officer Mohammad Sahil Uddin said both colleges that recorded zero per cent pass rates were non-MPO-listed institutions.

Teacher shortages, inadequate classroom instruction and other factors may have contributed to the poor results, he said, adding that a review of the institutions' activities would be necessary to determine the actual causes.

He also clarified that colleges do not fall directly under his administrative jurisdiction, limiting his authority to intervene in their affairs. However, he said he could take various initiatives if similar poor results were recorded at secondary-level schools.

Magura Deputy Commissioner Md Motakabbir Ahmed said the authorities viewed the disappointing results as an opportunity to send a clear message to students about the importance of academic preparation.

"Although the examination results are temporarily disappointing, we are looking at the matter positively. The results have sent students a clear message that there is no substitute for studying if they want to pass examinations," he said.

He urged unsuccessful candidates not to lose hope, saying they could prepare again and sit for the examinations in the future.

"Regular study is essential for achieving good results," he added.

The deputy commissioner further said necessary measures would be taken against institutions where all candidates failed, in accordance with directives from the Ministry of Education.