GPA-5 achievers of Notre Dame College exult at their performance after the results of HSC examinations were published yesterday(left).Photo: STAR

The results of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations published yesterday show a record-breaking boost with more than 10 percent rise in pass rate and almost double GPA-5 achievers compared to last year's results.
Like the glorious results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) 2008, results of the HSC exams under seven education boards broke all previous records with 74.85 percent pass and 19,108 students securing the highest grade point average (GPA)-5.
Besides, the number of colleges with hundred percent pass has also increased to 678 from last year's 434, while the number of institutions with zero pass came down to 41 from 60.
Educationists and teachers of renowned colleges believe this success in the country's second largest public examination is mainly the outcome of teachers-students' efforts and guardians' awareness.
This year students have failed less in English and a vast number of them scored over eighty in the subject, which are one of main reasons for increased pass rate and number of GPA-5 scorers, sources of combined education board computer centre observe.
The same improvement is also seen in the combined average result of seven education boards, Alim examination under Madrasa Education Board and HSC business management examination under Technical Education Board.
The combined pass rate is 76.19 percent against last year's 65.6 percent and 22,045 students secured GPA-5 compared to last year's 11,140. About 6.2 lakh students appeared in the HSC and equivalent examinations and about 4.66 lakh have passed.
Pass percentage for boys and girls is almost same. In Dhaka, Rajshahi and Technical boards, girls have performed well compared to boys.
On the other hand, business studies students have marked a significant progress against science and humanities groups.
Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman officially announced the results at a press conference at the education ministry in the capital.
"The increase in pass rates continues gradually since 2001 which proves that education standard is improving," he said.
The education adviser thanked all officials and employees of nine education boards for publishing the results in 60 days as promised by his ministry. The examinations began on May 29 and ended on July 10.
"Restless efforts by the students and their guardians, college teachers' hard labour, and effective monitoring on the colleges by the education boards have made the bright HSC results," the adviser said narrating the background of outstanding results.
Dhaka Board has secured top position among the seven education boards, while Barisal Board got the lowest based on pass rates and GPA-5 scorers.
The statistics also show that almost half GPA-5 scorers are under Dhaka Board. Like the previous year, students from Rajshahi Board captured second highest number of GPA-5.
Jessore Board pass rate has risen sharply by 13 points, while the rise in pass rates is about 10 points in others education boards.
The Madrasa and Technical boards produced tremendous good results among the nine boards with a pass rate of over eighty.
Like the previous years, colleges in urban areas, especially in the metropolises, dominate the GPA-5 category and hundred percent pass records.
Among the top ten GPA-5 securing colleges, ten are in the capital under Dhaka Board, five in Bogra, Rangpur, Dinajpur and Pabna Sadar under Rajshahi, eight in Comilla, Noakhali and Feni under Comilla, nine in Jessore, Khulna, Kushtia, Jhenidah and Satkhira under Jessore, five in Chittagong Sadar and Cox's Bazar Sadar under Chittagong, six in Barisal, Bhola and Pirojpur under Barisal, and eight in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Sreemangal and Habiganj under Sylhet Board.
Notre Dame College produced highest 1,189 GPA-5 scorers followed by Dhaka City College with 987 and Viqarunnisa Noon College with 663.