The passing rate in the secondary school certificate and its equivalent examinations would have been higher if there had been no hartal and blockade during the examinations, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said today.

The prime minister came up with the remark after Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed over a copy of the results to her at Gono Bhaban in Dhaka, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

A total of 87.04 percent students have passed this year's SSC and equivalent examinations, which is 4.30 percentage points lower than that of last year.

"The students had to face difficulties as BNP-led 20-party alliance had enforced blockades and hartals during the examinations due to their politics of vengeance," PM added. 

The examinations have been held amid unfavourable political atmosphere, the prime minister said. She also congratulated the students for their results in the examination.

The premier said her government's aim is to build university at every district so that student can get higher education easily.

"No nation can eradicate poverty without education. Education is needed to develop a nation," she added.