The month of August was an important one for students all over the world as they finally heard back on their UK school exam results. Having been through this process myself as a student, I know it can be an exciting but incredibly nerve-wracking time for students and their families. I congratulate everyone on your success and hope you have received the grades you hoped for! I’d also like to commend the effort by all the schools, teachers and parents involved in preparing these students and motivating them to study hard for their exams.
There has been a growing recognition of the value that UK international qualifications bring to the table, allowing young Bangladeshis to access global opportunities and unlock their natural interest in the world. In the recent May-June exam sessions, we helped to deliver 74,000 school exams across Bangladesh, working with our British Council Partner Schools. In Bangladesh, we have one of the largest Partner School Networks in the world, with 170 schools in 10 cities across the country. We support these Partner Schools by providing a secure, compliant, and consistent exam delivery service, dedicated account management support, and professional development and training support for teachers and school leaders.
This support enables schools to make a difference in young lives in local communities across Bangladesh. For example, Zayna Mahmud from Sir John Wilson School in Dhaka just took a school exam with us and now plans to continue her higher studies abroad. In her words: “The UK qualifications that I have received will expand my chances of getting acceptance from prestigious universities and improve my job prospects abroad.” As students like Zayna receive their grades, it will allow them to start planning the next stage of their life journey, including pursuing opportunities to study, train and work abroad. I’m proud that at the British Council, we have played a part in that journey.
These students will be the future accountants, artists, doctors, and engineers who will contribute to a more prosperous future for Bangladesh. Many of these candidates will continue to study in Bangladesh, while others may choose to go abroad for further qualifications, perhaps at a world-class university in the UK.
Across our work, the British Council is committed to creating opportunities that help transform the lives of young people and support the development of inclusive and quality education for all. As well as allowing young Bangladeshis to access top-notch UK qualifications, we also work with the Government of Bangladesh and other partners to develop policies, tools and frameworks to continuously improve the quality of education at all levels and enhance international collaboration for universities, schools and other academic institutions. This work is rooted in our purpose: To support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and Bangladesh.
Tom Miscioscia is Director, Bangladesh, at the British Council.
