Five educational institutions in Thakurgaon have recorded a zero pass rate in the SSC examinations for the 2024-25 academic year, reflecting a major setback in the district's education sector.

According to the results, none of the 24 students who appeared for the SSC examination from the five institutions could pass.

A total of 18 institutions under the Dinajpur Education Board recorded a 100 percent failure rate this year, with Thakurgaon accounting for the highest number at five.

The institutions are Akcha Adarsha High School in Sadar upazila, where four students appeared; Onvardighi High School, seven students; Madhabpur Girls' High School, five students; Teowarigaon High School, five students; and Rampur Bhaturia Girls' High School in Haripur upazila, with three students.

The district education authorities said action would be taken against the institutions following an investigation into the reasons behind the poor results.

Teachers and guardians attributed the poor performance to poverty, irregular attendance of teachers and students, child marriage and students being pushed into the science stream despite not having the academic preparation for it.

Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui, acting head teacher of Akcha Adarsha High School, said the institution has 11 teachers and has been under the MPO scheme since 1995.

"I think the students are inattentive, while there is also negligence on the part of some teachers. Many teachers do not attend classes on time," he said.

He also said some students who were not suited to the science stream had taken the SSC examination from that group, contributing to the poor results.

Harun-or-Rashid, assistant head teacher of Madhabpur Girls' High School, said this was the first time students from the institution had appeared for the SSC examination.

"Our students are often married off by their families at an early age. As a result, many good students drop out. Poverty is a major reason behind this," he said.

He also said the institution lacked proper infrastructure, including a suitable building and a laboratory for science students.

District Education Officer Shahin Akter said the authorities had provided guidance to institutions that performed poorly in the previous year, which helped improve their results.

"We will do the same this year and take necessary action against these institutions after investigation," she said.