Hundreds of thousands of students in Bangladesh face the prospect of losing a full academic year after failing this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams. Many of them are now pressing the government for a quick second chance.
Students’ Demands
Failed candidates made their case at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity. They spoke under the banner of the SSC 2026 Students’ Rights Movement Bangladesh. They want supplementary exams by the end of 2026, with those who pass allowed into Class XI this academic year. If that is not possible, they want to enrol in college immediately and sit the supplementary exams next year. They also asked for a schedule with enough preparation time and quick publication of results.
The Scale Of Failure
Of the 18,29,485 candidates who sat the exams, 6,90,608 (37.75 per cent) failed, according to results published on August 10. The overall pass rate was 62.25 per cent, down from 68.45 per cent in 2025. Another 4,585 students passed after re-scrutiny of their answer scripts in September.
What The Government Is Considering
On October 10, Adviser Mahdi Amin said the government was considering letting students retake failed subjects within three months. He cautioned that introducing the system this year could be difficult. Three days later, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said the plan was to hold retests within 15 days of results for students failing up to two subjects. Those who fail again may be directed toward technical and vocational education. He did not say when the system would begin. The boards are seeking to introduce the arrangement from next year.
Time Pressure On Admissions
The final phase of online applications for the 2026-27 academic year is scheduled for October 26-27. That leaves little time for a decision that could affect the plans of hundreds of thousands of families.
Students are asking for a clear schedule. Until the government gives one, many failed candidates remain unsure whether they will move on to Class XI or wait a full year.
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