Bad English and math scores bend the curve downward in grades V, VIII results

After the debacle in the results of SSC and HSC tests due to strict evaluation, pass rates in exams of grades V and VIII have also dropped sharply this year.

The fifth graders’ scores in mathematics, English and Arabic papers dropped from last year while English, mathematics and science papers dealt a blow to the eighth graders.

Pass rates in Primary Education Completion or PEC and Ebtedayee exams for the fifth graders this year are 95.18 percent and 92.94 percent respectively, according to the results published on Saturday.

Last year, the pass rates in PEC and Ebtedayee exams were 98.51 percent and 95.85 percent respectively, which means PEC pass rate dropped this year by 3.33 percentage points and Ebtedayee 2.91 percentage points.

The number of GPA-5 scorers has also dropped to 267,632 from 287,846.

In Junior School Certificate or JSC and Junior Dakhil Certificate or JDC exams for the eighth graders, the pass rate has fallen to 83.65 percent from last year’s 93.03 percent.

The number of eighth-grade GPA-5 scorers also dropped to 191,628 from 247,558.

The success rate in the JSC and JDC tests has dropped by 9.41 percentage points, and the number of GPA-5 scorers decreased by 55,960.

The results of both fifth and eighth graders were worse than last year’s in other indicators as well.

After receiving copies of the results on Saturday morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “The pass rate fell slightly this year, maybe because you are more alert now. I hope it will rise again in the future.”

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman Fizar submitted the results to her.

Nahid and Fizar said they would investigate the reasons behind the fall in pass rates and other indicators.

Following complaints of generous grading in the past years to raise the pass rates, the authorities toughened the answer script evaluation system in SSC and HSC exams this year, leading the pass rates in both the exams to drop.

Speaking about JSC and JDC results, Nahid said the recommendations by Bangladesh Education Development Unit were being followed gradually for the past three years, which ‘slightly’ affected the results this year.

He was asked why pass rates in JSC and JDC tests dropped along with the number of examinees and GPA-5 scorers this year.

Nahid said, “I am not going to evaluate these issues now. The education boards and the ministry will investigate these separately. Only then will we get the real picture.”   

Inter-education board coordination subcommittee Exam Controller Tapan Kumar Sarker told bdnews24.com that the drop in pass rates in English, math and science papers impacted the overall results.

The pass rate in the board’s English paper slumped to 70.70 percent from 92.08 percent, math to 82.46 percent from 97.05 percent and science paper pass rate dropped to 91.18 percent from 99.36 percent.

The little pupils of grade V also scored lower in English and math than the last year’s candidates. 
In Ebtedayee for fifth graders of madrasas, Arabic paper was the reason behind the drop in the pass rate.

Minister Fizar said, “The people’s expectations cannot be met all the time, but we are trying our best to achieve the best results.”

Also Read

Success rate of 2017 JSC, JDC exams drops

Success rate of 2017 PEC exams 95.18 percent, Ebtedayee 92.94 percent

SSC exams pass rate takes hit for new evaluation system

HSC success rate, too, takes a hit for 'standardisation of examination method'
      

‘Unnecessary exams and meritless nation’

Question paper leaks in public exams were taking place on the social media for a few years.

But the government came under heavy criticism this year as the test papers of the fifth and eighth graders were leaked and sold on WhatsApp while some were distributed free on websites like Facebook.

According to Dhaka University Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, the question paper leaks are the outcome of a ‘horrifying’ level of the ‘sick competition’ for GPA-5 in the exam system of rote learning.     

He sees no need for continuing with the public examinations in grades V, VIII and X.

“These (exams) are unnecessary. These public exams are creating pressure on the children. This is a sick competition. Exams should be held grade-wise where the children can learn in a happy environment,” he said.

“I think there should be only one public exam – HSC (for 12th graders). We may hold one in grade X,” Manzoorul said.

The prime minister had earlier backed the decision to continue the public exams in grades V and VIII, saying these would increase the students’ courage and self-confidence.

“Maybe, self-confidence grows, I won't argue here, but what is the price they hare paying in return? If the question paper leaks continue and they only memorise the answers, where will this self-confidence take them?” Manzoorul asked.

The member of the government committee to review textbooks for secondary education said the children are not reading books other than the textbooks.

They should grow in confidence to write in their own ways, but that is not happening, according to the teacher of Dhaka University’s Department of English.

He also criticised the current education system for it being based on ‘certificates received through private coaching centres’.

He thinks the students who were getting admitted to the universities now had ‘weaknesses’ in their knowledge of English and science.

He recommended recruiting good teachers by offering better pay and perks and doing away with standardised public examinations.

“I see the total destruction of the nation if the education system continues to function in this manner. We are treading a dangerous path by rendering the nation meritless,” he warned.