Alternative skills training, jobs proposed for students failing re-exams

The Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) has proposed creating alternative education, skills development and employment opportunities for students who fail re-examinations and risk dropping out of mainstream education.

It has recommended technical and vocational education, short-term training, internships, job placement support and easy-term loans to help these students become self-employed.

The proposals were presented by CAMPE Programme Officer Sizul Islam at a press briefing organised by the organisation at the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation auditorium on Wednesday.

CAMPE Executive Director and former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K Choudhury said the proposals would soon be submitted to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The briefing was organised following the government's decision to allow students who failed in one or two subjects in the 2026 HSC and equivalent examinations to sit for re-examinations.

The proposal called for a special integrated government programme to prevent the future of students who fail the re-examinations or are at risk of dropping out of mainstream education from becoming uncertain.

Considering students' interests and abilities, as well as local and international labour market demands, CAMPE recommended technical and vocational education and short-term training in various sectors, particularly nursing, caregiving, science and technology, information technology and entrepreneurship development.

It also proposed providing recognised certificates, internships and job placement support after training, along with start-up capital or loans on easy terms.

Such support would help students become self-employed and develop as entrepreneurs, while psychosocial counselling should also be arranged for them, the proposal said.

CAMPE further recommended initiatives to develop skilled workers to meet labour market demands in Japan, South Korea, China and some European countries. 

This would help students improve their living standards through overseas employment while contributing to the national economy through remittances.

The proposal stressed that no student should be deprived of state support and future opportunities solely because of examination results.

Providing every student with alternative pathways to education, skills development, dignified employment and self-reliance is an important responsibility of the state, it said.

The proposal also recommended formulating a clear and comprehensive policy on re-examination opportunities and conducting objective research into educational institutions with 100% pass rates and those where all students fail.

Welcoming the decision, Rasheda said ensuring the students' long-term welfare and future prospects alongside the re-examination opportunity was equally important.

Akmal Hossain, joint secretary general of the Bangladesh College-University Teachers Association and principal of Government Lalmatia Society Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, and Jyoti F Gomes, secretary general of the Bangladesh Catholic Education Board and adviser to the vice-chancellor of Notre Dame University Bangladesh, answered questions from journalists.