Test failures, child marriage emerge as key causes of HSC non-participation

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations began across the country today (2 July). Nearly 36% of regular students are not sitting for this year's examinations, raising concerns among educators over the sharp rise in non-participation.

Educators and college principals say the trend is driven by a combination of academic, social and economic factors.

These include failures in selection (test) examinations, child marriage, student dropout, financial hardship and a lack of parental awareness.

One of the main reasons, they say, is the selection or test examination held before the final HSC exams.

Many colleges do not allow students who fail two or more subjects in the test examination to complete the final examination form fill-up. Institutions often adopt this practice to protect their overall pass rate and academic reputation.

As a result, many students are unable to sit for the public examinations despite being registered.

Student dropout after admission is another major factor. According to educators, many students lose contact with their colleges after completing admission or registration. Some leave their studies to join the workforce, while others move abroad for employment.

In some cases, parent's job transfers force families to relocate, disrupting student's education.

Child marriage continues to be a major challenge, particularly for female students.

Many girls are unable to continue their education after getting married.

Educators also say a lack of parental awareness contributes to the problem, as some guardians fail to ensure their children complete the examination form fill-up process within the deadline.

Although not the primary reason, financial hardship also prevents some students from taking the examinations. Some families struggle to pay examination fees and other related expenses.

ABM Ismail Hossain Khan, principal of Gazipur Government Women's College, said 1,533 of the college's 1,539 registered candidates are sitting for this year's examinations.

"There are several reasons why students fail to complete the form fill-up process after admission. The most common is failing the test examination. Other reasons include prolonged absence from college, child marriage among female students and, in some cases, financial difficulties," he said.

Professor Chanowara Sultana, principal of Bhawal Badre Alam Government College, said students who fail multiple subjects in the selection examination are often not allowed to complete examination forms because institutions fear they may not pass the final examinations.

She added that parental negligence, family problems and relocation also contribute to students dropping out before the HSC examinations.

Gazipur Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Rakibul Hasan said discussions with teachers and field-level experience suggest the reasons behind students failing to complete examination forms are multidimensional.

"Lack of awareness among students and parents, poor academic performance, failure in selection tests, child marriage and financial hardship all contribute to the problem," he said.

Rakibul said the district administration is working with educational institutions, management committees and teachers to reduce dropout rates and ensure more students complete their higher secondary education.