Govt decides to raise pass marks for all tests

The government has decided to raise pass marks for all examinations after facing criticism over falling standards due to the huge pass rates in recent public examinations.

The decision to raise the bar was taken after consulting stakeholders, Education Secretary Md Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday.

“No country in the world has 33 as pass marks. A seminar will be arranged with all those involved in education. The numbers will be raised after we hear everyone’s opinion.”

The secretary did not say what the new pass mark will be.

The country has progressed a lot in terms of education. Among 100 boys and girls 98 get admitted to school, said the education secretary.

"Success rate has gone up along with GPA 5s. But we need more improvements in our standard."

Currently, 33 is the pass mark in 100-marks exams in schools and colleges.

Nazrul feels the standard of education standard will improve if the scale is raised.

This year, 78.33 percent students have passed the HSC and equivalent exams with 70,602 GPA 5 scorers, while 91.34 percent students passed SSC and equivalents.

When asked about standard of education in the light of the massive number of passes, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid claimed the success rate in Public Exams have consistently gone up due to the improved education.

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"We don't have a problem if students can prepare themselves well enough to get close to 100 percent success," he said.

However, catastrophic results in the Dhaka University admission exams brought the issue of success rates under the scanner again.

An Education Ministry official said Education Board chairmen also favoured raising the pass mark.

But steps will be taken after due consideration to avoid fresh controversies, the official said.