Bangladesh SSC Results Shine Spotlight on Struggling GPA-5 Achievers

The 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in Bangladesh have brought forward remarkable stories of academic success achieved against the backdrop of extreme poverty. Fariha Afroz achieved a GPA-5 in the science group from Ikarchali High School in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur. Expressing her heavy burden of hardship, she stated, “Looking at my father causes me pain. My dream is to become a doctor; however, I do not know how much of this dream will be realized in a family beset by scarcity.” Her mother, Selina Begum, echoed these financial fears, noting that they lack the means to cover college admission, books, and other necessary expenses for her daughter's further education.

Similarly, Smriti Debnath secured a GPA-5 in the humanities group from Jinjira Peer Mohammad Pilot Girls' High School in Keraniganj. Her family struggles to pay a monthly house rent of five thousand taka. Detailing her modest study methods, Smriti explained, “Whatever the teachers taught in class, I would come home and revise those thoroughly. Sometimes I studied by photocopying guides from classmates. The result is good, and it feels very joyful; but now I am worried whether I will be able to continue studying further.” Her mother, Shilpi Debi, expressed deep anxiety about how to finance her daughter's ongoing education.

In Nilphamari's Domar upazila, Onik Islam earned a GPA-5 in the science group from Khaturia High School. Onik's educational journey was marked by extreme frugality. His mother, Shefali Begum, recalled, “When Onik was admitted to class six, I made his school uniform. At that time, I kept extra cloth at the bottom of the pants. As he grew, I let it out a little by little. I enlarged the shirt by joining white cloth. In this way, he finished his schooling in a single uniform.” His father, Nazrul Islam, worriedly asked how they would manage Onik's educational expenses now, especially since his elder brother funds his own studies through tutoring. Md. Shahidul Islam noted that the boy is very talented and polite, which had prompted them to offer him the opportunity to study tuition-free.

In Sirajganj's Raiganj upazila, Salma Khatun achieved a GPA-5 in the science group from Upazila Sadar Girls' High School. Reflecting her strong resolve to overcome family hardships, Salma stated, “To stand beside my parents, I must finish my education by any means and do something good.” Her parents, Md. Jahil Hossain Sarkar and Mosammat Gulbahar Begum, watched their daughter succeed despite severe economic barriers. Meanwhile, Mosammat Fulbahar Rahman highlighted the family's plight by noting that while the girl is very good at studies, arranging admission to a good college and gathering expenses is extremely difficult. Md. Hafizur Rahman expressed hope that kind-hearted people would extend a helping hand for such a talented student.

In Noakhali's Hatiya, Tasfia Akhter attained a GPA-5 from Rehania High School. Having lost her parents, she was raised by Mohammad Ilyas, who shared his emotional perspective: “I perhaps cannot remove the pain of not having parents, but I have raised her like my own child even amidst scarcity. All our hardship has become worthwhile because she got GPA-5.” Looking ahead, Tasfia stated, “In the future, I want to be a teacher, so that I can stand beside distressed children like myself.” Jagadish Chandra Das pointed out the historical significance of the achievement for the institution, stating that since the school's students began participating in the SSC exams in the year 2018, Tasfia is the very first to achieve a GPA-5, which will inspire others.