A father-son duo from Mymsingh got GPA 5 in this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) together.
The father, Ekhlas Uddin Nayan, 45, and the son Md Raihan, 16, both sat for the exams together from different local institutions and managed to score GPA 5.
Talking to Bangla Tribune, Nayan said: "Being from a poor family, I could not complete my studies as a child. However, I have always had a strong determination to pursue education. That is why I took the exam at this age."
He also said: “I have four children and my eldest daughter passed BA. My daughter and wife's encouragement made me believe in myself, and I sat for the exams with my son.”
Nayan later mentioned that he felt self-conscious while taking the exam but is happy with his results.
“I will start college with my son, and opt for higher studies this time,” he added.
Nayan's wife, Salma Begum, said: “My husband did not get the chance to study when he was a child. He always felt bad about it. So, I knew I had to get him admitted into a school, to complete his education. We all are happy and proud of him.”
Abdul Qayyum, principal of the institute where Nayan studies, said: “He got GPA 5 from my institution. We are proud of his results.”
Gouripur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Hasan Maruf told Bangla Tribune: “Education has no age. Education is the basic right of every human being. People will be inspired to study after seeing this indomitable father.”
Altogether 87.44% of candidates have obtained passing grades in this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations, down from 93.58% the previous year.
The results were handed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
The nine general education boards saw a combined pass rate of 88.1%, the Madrasah Education Board 82.22% and the Technical Education Board 89.55%.
This year's SSC and equivalent exams under eleven boards, including madrasa (Dakhil) and technical education boards, started across the country on September 15.
A total of 2,021,868 students from 29,591 educational institutions took part in the exams at 3,790 centres. Altogether 1,599,711 students participated in the SSC exams under the nine general education boards.
