Arafat Rahaman
Published work

Reports & Features

Reports, interviews, features and separately identified non-byline contributions.

235 entries
8 September 2026NewsThe Daily Star

Half the children can’t read, comprehend

As the government aims to raise the country’s literacy rate to between 86 and 90 percent by 2030, nearly half of children aged seven to 14 still fail to read and understand a simple story.

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5 September 2026EducationThe Daily Star

Why girls continue to outpace boys in SSC results

Differences in school attendance, child labour, stipend incentives and study routines are widening the performance gap between male and female students in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations, according to educationists, teachers and candidates.

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23 August 2026NewsThe Daily Star

Reform missteps behind SSC result swings: experts

Since the late 1980s, Bangladesh’s SSC pass rate has seen major fluctuations, reflecting not only student performance but also suggesting the influence of political realities, exam reforms, marking practices, and education policies.

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11 August 2026EducationThe Daily Star

SSC pass rate hits 19-year low

This year’s SSC results painted a grim picture, with the pass rate across the nine general education boards hitting a 19-year low and GPA-5 achievers falling to their lowest level since 2020.

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11 August 2026NewsThe Daily Star

Dakhil pass rate lowest in 23 years

The Madrasah Education Board recorded its lowest pass rate in 23 years at 55.49 percent, while the Technical Education Board posted a 19-year low of 58.20 percent in this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations, according to education ministry data.

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8 August 2026EducationThe Daily Star

Teacher shortages strain government primary schools

Government primary schools across Bangladesh are struggling to keep lessons on track as headteacher posts remain vacant in more than half of the institutions while thousands of assistant-teacher positions also remain unfilled, putting extra pressure on teachers and disrupting classes.

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26 July 2026NewsThe Daily Star

Honouring a trailblazer

More than five decades ago, Niloufer Manzur, a young teacher and mother of two, set out to establish a school that would provide children with a strong academic foundation while developing their conscience and sense of responsibility towards their country.

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21 July 2026EducationThe Daily Star

Admission to class-1: Heavy loads on tender shoulders

The government’s move to reintroduce written admission tests for class-1 from the next academic year has sparked concern among parents, with many turning to coaching centres and private tutors to help their children prepare for the exams.

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