Bangladesh’s 2026 SSC and equivalent examination results showed a major decline, with the pass rate across 11 education boards falling to 62.25%, the lowest in 19 years. Results released Monday showed that 1,138,877 of 1,829,485 candidates passed, leaving nearly 700,000 unsuccessful. A total of 116,676 students earned GPA-5, the lowest number in five years.

The previous year’s pass rate was 68.45%, with 139,032 GPA-5 recipients. Girls outperformed boys, recording a 66.68% pass rate against 57.86% for boys and receiving more GPA-5 grades. Dhaka Board had the highest pass rate at 77.63%, while the Madrasah Board recorded the lowest at 55.49%. Humanities results were particularly weak, with 59% of candidates failing; many were held back in English and mathematics.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon described the result as good, saying students received the marks they earned. Prime Minister’s education adviser Mahdi Amin said answer scripts were assessed impartially. Officials and education stakeholders linked the outcome to stricter anti-cheating oversight and longstanding weaknesses in education quality. Of 30,402 institutions, 669 achieved a 100% pass rate, while all candidates failed at 312 institutions.