Chittagong board's HSC pass rate hits 15-year low in 2026

The Chittagong Education Board's performance in the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate examinations has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years, according to results released this week. The drop in the pass rate signals mounting challenges in secondary education delivery across the port city and surrounding areas under the board's jurisdiction.

Education officials have attributed the decline to multiple factors, including disruptions in the academic calendar, inadequate preparation time for students, and inconsistent teaching standards across affiliated institutions. The board administers examinations for thousands of students annually from colleges across Chittagong and the Chattogram Hill Tracts region.

The poor performance has prompted education administrators to initiate reviews of teaching methodologies and examination procedures. Stakeholders have called for urgent intervention to identify systemic weaknesses and implement corrective measures before the next examination cycle.

Education observers note that declining pass rates at major boards across Bangladesh have become an increasing concern in recent years, reflecting broader challenges in the country's secondary education system. The Chittagong board's latest results add to growing pressure on policymakers to strengthen institutional capacity and teacher training programmes nationwide.