Navigate the psychological toll of SSC examination results on Bangladeshi teenagers. Intense social media comparisons and parental expectations spark feelings of inadequacy, proving that empathetic support and resilience matter far more than GPA-5 academic metrics.

To what extent do the top scorers’ performance represent the performance of their schools and teachers?

“I didn't think I could come this far,” said a beaming Horibol Bonarjee, a student of Moulvibazar Government High School, who passed this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC).

Renowned writer and academic Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal has said some parents go as far as collecting leaked questions and make their children memorise the answers, just to ensure that they score GPA-5.

It is somehow taken for granted, by students and parents alike, that there is a fundamental difference between students of Bangla medium and English medium schools. This division carries on to higher education as well.