Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the overall HSC results this time would have been much better had the BNP-Jamaat nexus not engaged in subversive activities during the examinations.

"If the BNP-Jamaat had not carried subversive activities and engaged in arson attacks, the pass percentage (in HSC) would have been much better," she said.

The Prime Minister came up with the observation after Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed over the copies of the results of 10 education boards to her at her official residence Ganabhaban.

The pass percentage in this year's HSC examinations is 69.60 with 42,894 students achieving GPA5.

Sheikh Hasina said, "There were constant blockade and hartal during the examinations...students had to go to exam halls in panic."

She mentioned that BNP-Jamaat activists also engaged in arson attacks and killing people through hurling petrol bombs during the hartal and blockade. "This was very unfortunate, but our boys and girls appeared in the exams defying all the obstacles and came out successful, and this is the big thing," Hasina added.

The Prime Minister said those engaged in money laundering and corruption are trying to block the education of the country's people. "They never want the country's advancement." 

Sheikh Hasina greeted the students who came out successful in this year's HSC and its equivalent examinations held under the 10 education boards.

She also thanked teachers, guardians as well as officials concerned of the Education Ministry and law-enforcement agencies for their efforts in making the entire process of holding the examinations and publishing the results in time a success.

The Prime Minister said her government's aim is to inspire children to learn, ensure the standard of education and build an educated society.

Returning to in 1996, Hasina said, the Awami League government stressed expanding science and technology-based education. 

She said her government has taken steps to establish 12 specialised universities in the country and some of them began their academic activities in time.

To establish a poverty-free country, Hasina said, there is no alternative to creating an educated, skilled and efficient generation. Children must be equipped with science and technology-based modern education to keep pace with the world, she added.

Besides, keeping in mind the reality of Bangladesh's agro-economy, she said, emphasis must be given also on agriculture education alongside developing a workforce to turn the country into an industrial economy.

She mentioned that her government has been developing economic zones where a large number of educated and skilled manpower will be needed.

The Prime Minister said directives have been given to continue mosque-based as well as other religious establishment-based teaching activities to groom up children with religious values.

Later, the Prime Minister through a videoconferencing with senior officials at Pabna and Pirozpur Deputy Commissioners offices said, Bangladesh emerged as an independent country under Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's leadership.

But, after his brutal assassination in 1975, Hasina said military dictator Ziaur Rahman released killers and rapists from jail and installed them in state power. 

Sheikh Hasina mentioned the trials of war criminals are going on and the judgments are being implemented to free the country from the stigma.

She stressed creating opportunities for flourishing the dormant talents of the children and said her government has been working to this end.

The chairmen of the 10 Education Boards also separately handed over the copies of the results of their respective boards to the Prime Minister.

PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, Education Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present.