HSC results and GPA-5 achievers takes a nosedive in Cumilla

Cumilla Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education had the worst results in five years, along with the pass rate and the number of GPA-5 obtained in the 2026 HSC exam seeing a major collapse. 

Compared to last year, the number of students who got GPA-5 has nosedived, having decreased by more than half. Moreover, the number of educational institutions with zero passes and expelled candidates has also increased. In light of these dismal results, fresh questions have been raised about the quality of education.

Analysis of the results published by the board shows that only 1,313 students (442 male students and 871 female students) got GPA-5 from Cumilla board in HSC examination 2026. But in 2025, 2,909 had achieved GPA-5. In other words, the number of GPA-5 achievers has dropped by 1,596 within a year.

According to the statistics of the last five years, 14,991 students got GPA-5 in 2022, 5,655 students in 2023, 7,922 students in 2024 and 2,909 students in 2025. Looking at the numbers, students from the Cumilla board who scored a GPA-5 has been fluctuating, before coming down to the lowest position.

But it isn’t just the GPA-5, as the overall pass rate took a dip as well. The pass rate in 2024 was 71.15%, before dipping in 2025, to 48.86%. This year has further decreased by 48.04%. Overall, the pass rate has decreased by 0.82% compared to last year.

Looking at the results department wise, students of science department have done relatively well this time, with a pass rate of 63.83%. On the contrary, the pass rate in humanities department is 41.45% and in business education department is 40.73%. In all three categories, it was the girls who surpassed the boys when it came to pass rates across all three categories. In the science department, girls had a pass rate of 66%, while boys got 61.01%. In humanities, female students had a pass rate of 48.89% while the boys’ was 33.67%. In the business education department, girls had a 46.87% pass rate, while boys got 35.19%.

The Institutional results have also raised concerns. This time only 4 educational institutions under the board have passed 100% of the candidates. Last year, the number was 5, and 10 in 2024.

On the other hand, the number of institutes where no student could pass has increased to 15. In 2025, this number was 9, and only 4 in 2024. In other words, the number of educational institutions with zero pass has increased almost 4 times in a span of 2 years.

Meanwhile, the number of students expelled due to examination irregularities has also increased. This year 69 examinees have been expelled in Cumilla board. In 2025 this number was 66, and 57 people in 2024.

Behind such results, many questions have arisen about the teaching of educational institutions, the role of teachers, the preparation of students and the overall education management. In particular, the increase in the number of institutions with zero passes and the sharp decline in the number of GPA-5 attainments have been worrying to say the least.

Professor Jahangir Alam, Secretary of Cumilla Education Board, said that educational institutions have plans to organize seminars, symposiums and parent gatherings with teachers and related persons.

He also said that an inquiry committee will be formed to investigate the reasons for the institutions in which no student could pass. Further necessary action will be taken based on the recommendations of the inquiry committee.

All in all, this year's HSC results came as an ominous sign for the Cumilla Education Board. Improving the quality of education, identifying weak institutions, and taking effective action to overcome the deterioration of results are now the major challenges for the board authorities.
-    AH/NS