A college in Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj, with 14 teachers but only one HSC examinee this year, has recorded a zero pass rate after its sole candidate failed the examination.
Durbashur Adarsha Secondary School and College was among the institutions under the Dhaka Education Board where no students passed the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination, results of which were published on Saturday.
According to college sources, only one student enrolled in the 2025-26 academic session and appeared in this year's HSC examination. The student failed, leaving the institution with a zero pass rate.
The result has sparked criticism among local residents, who blamed the institution's management committee, principal and teachers for its poor academic performance.
Local residents Balaram Ojha, Nirmal Biswas and Shubhendu Sarkar said students were reluctant to enroll because the institution lacked a proper learning environment.
They questioned how the college could continue operating in such a condition and suggested that its college section be shut down.
Established in 1988, the institution initially operated as a secondary school. Its college section was introduced in 2009, offering science, humanities and business studies.
All 14 teachers are enrolled under the government's Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme and receive regular salaries and allowances. The same teachers have also been conducting classes for the college section.
However, only the humanities group had an examinee this year, while the science and business studies groups had no enrolled students.
Principal Swarna Rani Biswas said the institution struggled to attract students because of its rural location.
"Students are hard to find as the college is in a village. Teachers also do not come regularly or show much interest in enrolling students. I have been trying to improve the situation and spending money from my own pocket every year, but nothing has worked," she said.
Founder Paritosh Sarkar said several teachers had left after failing to secure MPO benefits for the college section.
"The college section is not doing well. There is a shortage of both teachers and students. It would be better if it were closed," he said.
Governing body Chairman Parimal Kirtan said he had received his appointment letter only a week earlier and had yet to visit the institution or hold a meeting.
"I do not know much about these issues," he said.
Upazila Secondary Education Officer Mahfuza Begum said her office was responsible for supervising secondary-level education, not the college section. She said the Dhaka regional office was responsible for overseeing the college section.
Muksudpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Ashik Kabir said he was aware that only one student had appeared in the HSC examination from the institution and failed.
"We will investigate the matter," he said.
