The New Nation - Internet Edition

72.18 pc pass SSC exams: Record 52,500 get GPA-5: Motijheel Ideal, Viquarunnisa, Monipur schools top scorers

Students of Motijheel Ideal School (top) and
Viquarunnis Noon School (bottom) celebrating the SSC results
on Thursday as their institutions secured first and second
positions under Dhaka Board. NN photo

Students of Dr. Khastagir Girls School showing
victory signs as they secure top position in SSC examination
under Chittagong Board on Thursday. Banglar Chokh

DU Correspondent

The percentage of pass in this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations under nine education boards of the country has crossed all the previous years' records. 72.18 per cent examinees have come out successful with 52,500 students receiving Grade Point Average (GPA)-5.

The results of all the nine boards were simultaneously announced at a press briefing yesterday. A total of 10,06,569 candidates including 7,43,609 for SSC, 1,80,585 for Dakhil and another 82,375 for vocational subjects appeared at this year's examinations under the education boards.

The examinees in SSC, Dakhil and SSC (vocational) examinations obtained highest number of GPA 5 this year compared to the last year's 32,646, said Education Adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman.

In the capital the Ideal School and College topped the list among the highest GPA-5 scorers with 767 students followed by the Viqarunnisa Noon School with 678, Monipur High School with 652 and Motijheel Model High School with 549.

The Collegiate School in Chittagong has 326 GPA-5 scorers, Comilla Zilla School 310, Rajuk Uttara Model School and College, Dhaka 297, Uttara High School, Dhaka 278, AK High School, Dhaka 270 and Dhaka Residential Model School 269.

The number of educational institutions which recorded 100 per cent pass was 2,272, as against 774 intuitions recorded last year, while the number of institutions with zero percentages of pass reached 91 this year from the last year's 248, the Adviser said adding that the government would take action against them as per the relevant rules and regulations.

A total of 707 examinees were expelled in this year's SSC and equivalent examinations, against the expulsion of 985 students last year.

The present grading system was introduced at the SSC level examinations in 2002 when only 330 examinees got GPA-5.

This year, the Madrasa Education Board achieved the highest percentage of pass 82.06, followed by Dhaka Board with 77.81, Comilla Board 73.00, Chittagong Board 72.62, Jessore Board 71.43, Barisal Board 68.77, Rajshahi Board 64.89, Technical Education Board 62.88 and Sylhet Board 53.88.

According to the results, a total of 1,70,331 examinees out of 2,18,897 passed from Dhaka Board; 1,34,492 out of 2,07,250 from Rajshahi Board; 56,042 out of 76,774 from Comilla Board; 75,209 out of 1,05,296 from Jessore Board, 39,944 out of 55,002 from Chittagong Board; 33,458 out of 48,654 from Barisal Board; 17,100 out of 31,736 from Sylhet Board; 1,48,186 out of 1,80,585 from Madrasa Education Board and 51,801 out of 82,375 from Technical Education Board.

Boys with 73.69 percentage of pass scored the better results than the girls with 70.57 per cent in the SSC and equivalent examinations, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said expressing the hope that the trend of announcing the results within 60 days of the completion of exams would continue in the years to come.

Secretary of Education Ministry Momtajul Islam, Joint Secretary Mohammad Shafiullah, Joint Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan, Chairmen of nine Education Boards and concerned officials were present on the occasion.

82.06 per cent pass Dakhil exams

BSS, Dhaka

The results of Dakhil examinations- 2008 under the Madrasah Education Board were published yesterday with the percentage of pass being 82.06.

A total of 1,80,585 students - 98,721 boys and 81,864 girls took part in the examinations.

Of them, 1,48,186 students - 83,129 boys and 65,057 girls - passed the Dakhil examinations and 10,526 got GPA-5.

62.88 pc pass vocational exams

BSS, Dhaka

The results of Secondary School Certificate (SSC-Vocational) examinations-2008 under the Technical Education Board were published yesterday.

The percentage of pass is 62.88.

A total of 82,375 students - 57,262 boys and 25,113 girls - sat for the examinations.

Of them, 51,801 students - 35,888 boys and 15,913 girls - passed and 57 got GPA-5 in the vocational examinations.

Top 10 schools of Dhaka Board

BSS, Dhaka

Following are the top 10 schools under Dhaka Board that did brilliant results in SSC examinations this year.

Ideal School and College (100 percent and 767 GPA-5), Viqarunnisa Noon School (100 percent and 678 GPA-5), Monipur High School (100 percent and 652 GPA-5), Motijheel Model High School (97.92 percent and 549 GPA-5), Rajuk Uttara Model School and College (99.67 percent and 297 GPA-5), Uttara High School (100 percent and 278 GPA-5), A.K. High School (98.81 percent and 270 GPA-5), Dhaka Residential Model College (100 percent and 269 GPA- 5), Motijheel Govt Boys High School (99.71 percent and 264 GPA-5) and Dhanmondi Govt Boys High School (100 percent and 213 GPA-5).

India beat Pakistan by 6 wickets

Shoaib Malik of Pakistan sweeps on way to his sixth
ODI century against India during their encounter of the Asia
Cup at the Karachi National Stadium on Thursday.
Internet

Sports Reporter

India Cricket team defeated Pakistan Cricket team by six wickets in their Group-B match of the Asia Cup at the National Stadium in Karachi, the port city of Pakistan on Thursday.

Virendar Sehwag made 119 off 95 balls including five sixes and twelve fours.

Suresh Raina was the other remarkable batsman for India who cracked 84 playing 69 deliveries. Raina sent the ball 10 times through the ropes and three times over the fence.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan posted 299 for the loss off four wickets in the regulation 50 overs.

In reply, India reached the winning target in 42.1 overs making 301 for the loss of 4 wickets.

Biman signs $2.5b deal with Boeing for 10 aircraft: US Congressman favours duty free treatment for Bangladeshi products

Staff Reporter

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd on Wednesday signed the final deal with US aircraft manufacturing company Boeing to procure 10 new generation aircraft--four 777-300ER, four 787-8 and two 737s at a cost of 2.5 billion dollars (Tk 17,250 crore).

The deal signed at the US Department of Commerce in Washington DC also included an option of buying six more planes--two 777-300ER, two 787-8 and two 737s.

This is the first time Biman independently decided to buy aircraft without any political and government interference since its birth in 1972. Biman became a public limited company in July last year.

Mahbub Jamil, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Chairman of Biman Board of Directors, and Dr MA Momen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Biman, signed the agreement on behalf of the Biman while Senior Vice President (Sales) Marty Bentrott signed the agreement on behalf of the Boeing.

The deal includes a $320 million deal for the purchase of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, plus purchase rights for two additional 737s.

The agreement is the part of a total deal of $2.5 billion for the purchase of four 787, four 777 and four 737 aircrafts to be supplied to Biman by the Boeing company.

During the signing ceremony of the deal, US Congressman James McDermott (D-WA) called for ending of unfair duty treatment on the products from least developed countries like Bangladesh.

Congressman McDermott, who sponsored the bill 'New Partnership for Development

Act' (NPDA) (HR 3905) in the US Congress proposing duty free entry of all products from all least developed countries including Bangladesh, congratulated Biman for this historic deal and assured of his best possible effort for the passage of NPDA.

The Congressman also expressed his deep satisfaction, as this bill will be of immense benefit to the people of his constituency in Seattle.

Mahbub Jamil termed this deal as 'new era' in the aviation history of Bangladesh and hoped that this business deal will work as a strong pillar of friendship between Bangladesh and USA.

Donald Camp, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of State termed this business deal as an evidence of potential of the growing economy of Bangladesh and stated that this deal will go a long way to further strengthening commercial relations between the two countries. Sharing his optimism of a democratic Bangladesh, Mr. Camp commented that the 'people of Bangladesh look forward to the forthcoming general election in Bangladesh by December 2008, where 80 million Bangladeshi citizens are expected to exercise their franchise in order to install a new democratic government'.

Terming the aircraft 787 as composite dream machine, Dr MA Momen, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines stated that the deal with Boeing Company is a milestone in the history of Biman and termed this as a 're-birth of Bangladesh Biman' today.

US Under Secretary for International Trade Christopher A Padilla, who welcomed the guests in the ceremony, congratulated Biman and the Boeing Company for this historic deal.

He further stated that this deal has been possible due to 'creative restructuring and visionary changes' made by the Government of Bangladesh in the management of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

The ceremony was attended by good number of business people from USA and Bangladesh, members of the media, congressional aides, members of think tanks, high officials from Department of State, Department of Commerce, Federal Aviation Administration, US Trade and development Agency, Department of Transportation and a cross section of the members of Bangladesh's expatriate community.

Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Chargé d'affaires of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC and other high officials of the embassy were also present during the occasion.

It may be noted that Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir could not be at the ceremony as he is presently in Bogota, Colombia in connection with the presentation of his credential to the Colombian President as concurrent Bangladesh Ambassador to Colombia.

Exit route for loan defaulting sick units urged

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Sick Industries Association yesterday demanded exit route with 15 yearly instalments of the principal amount of the Bank loans and payment of interest free arrear bills of different service sectors in several instalments.

The association at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters' Unity, also demanded return of documents of the industries under the distress case and exempting them from all kinds of debts.

President of the association Chowdhury M Ishaque, Vice Presidents Chowdhury M Sadek Ullah and Rafiqul Haque, executive members Rahim Ullah and Sikandar Ali Mia, among others, addressed the function.

They said now all sick industries want exit from the bank loans with 15 yearly instalments of the principal only.

The association also called for immediate formulation of Bangladesh Sick Industry Act with a view to providing legal support to industries and protecting them from trial under the Ortharin Adalat.

The association pleaded for formulation of alternative Dispute Resolution Body in the interim period in accordance with the High Court's order.

The 10 committees constituted by the government for rehabilitation and reviving of the sick industries identified 1580 industries as sick in 1991. The number of sick industries now stands at 3,499.

Market monitoring to halt price hike

Staff Reporter

The government will increase monitoring of prices of essential commodities by activating market intelligence, Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said yesterday.

Emerging from a meeting with civil society representatives and businessmen the Adviser apparently expressed his satisfaction over prices of essentials.

"Per kilogram of rice is selling at Tk 70 in the international market. We are comparatively at much better position," Zillur said.

The Adviser said price hike of commodities in the international market became factor for price spiral hike in the local market.

Price of essentials will come down gradually, the Adviser said quoting the prediction of International Monitoring Fund (IMF).

"If the price of essentials decrease in the international market, it will become factor for local market. Local businessmen will be bound to reduce their price," he said.

Zillur said the food stock situation is at strong position and steps have been taken to import rice from abroad.

He said farmers have produced 17 million tonnes of Boro paddy this year. Similar priority has been given to produce Aman paddy, he added.

"We imposed ban on rice export and we changed export policy to make a good stock of rice," Zillur said.

25 pc Titas share to hit capital market July 2

Staff Reporter

Experts and top Government officials yesterday expected that the size of the Bangladesh's growing capital market would widen to almost double from its present size within few months.

The bourses will contribute more than 37 per cent of GDP, as the Government has started the process of off-loading the shares of a number of State Owned Enterprises from the energy, telecommunication and industrial sectors in the capital market, they said.

Up to January 2007, market capitalisation of all listed securities in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) was Tk. 31,709 crore (7 per cent of GDP). This increased more than double to Tk. 93,388.81 crore (17.88 per cent of GDP) till date.

The policymakers, however, found no reflection of the capital market's surge on the industrial sector, as the huge money drown from the stock exchanges is not being invested for productive purpose.

They were speaking at a gala projection meeting on offloading shares of the state-owned Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd. At least 25 per cent shares of the country's largest gas-distribution company will hit the capital market through direct listing with DSE that will kick off trading from July 2.

Chief Advisor's Special Assistant for Power and Energy Ministry Dr. M Tamim said, "Huge money has interred into the capital market.

But we don't see its reflection on industrial growth. Industrialists are still meeting 90 per cent of their investment requirements by receiving loan from the banking system."

"In other countries, most of the heavy industrial capital comes from share market while only small and medium entrepreneurs go to the banks. I hope the money drawn from the capital market will be invested in the industrial sectors in future lessening the pressure on banks," he added.

He also cautioned the investors about any manipulation behind swelling of the market saying, "Uncontrolled growth sometimes creates the collapse of the body itself." "That will be a misery," he said.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Faruque Ahmed Siddiqui also made a cautionary note to the investors suggesting them to buy shares applying their best wisdom and judgment to avoid a repetition of the 1996's debacle.

"We have to be careful so that there should not be any repetition of 96," he said.

Faruque termed the Titas debut on the capital market as very positive step, saying that this would fulfil the demands for good shares while people are looking for good companies.

Titas operates 73 per cent of total gas-distribution business of Petrobangla, a state monopoly on the country's natural gas and mineral resources.

With the commencing of trading on the first day, a total of 21,411,728 ordinary shares of Titas, each having a value of Tk 100, will be offloaded to the market.

As per Titas' financial statement, earning per share is Tk 30.07 (net profit after tax) while net asset value per share is Tk 113.49.

This is the fifth state-owned enterprise (SOE) that is coming into the capital market to offload its shares for the public.

DSE President Abdul Haque appreciated the government move to offload shares of SOEs through capital market.

Chief operating officer of the premier bourse Dr. Salah Uddin Ahmed Khan suggested that the state-owned gas-exploration company BAPEX, which is facing a huge financial crisis in running its operations, could easily mobilise funds from the capital market.

According to the share-trading criteria of Titas, share trading will take place on spot market up to 12 pm for first two days.

First 10 minutes of the first trading day will be considered price-building period and thereafter, from 11th minute, ICB Securities Trading Company will start trading at best market price.

Investors shall place an order for minimum of 50 shares and maximum of 1,000 for each order for the first 5 days of trading, as per tricks of the trade.

Corruption in education sector: Irregularities on issue of MPO found

Staff Reporter

A special team of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) formed to look into corruption in the education sector has unearthed significant irregularities in the inclusion of educational institutions on the issue of monthly payment order (MPO).

The ACC Director General (Admin), Col Hanif Iqbal said yesterday at the Commission's regular briefing that as part of its job, the special team constituted to unearth organisational corruption, has collected documents from the Education Ministry relating to inclusion of educational institutions in MPO.

The team is now going through the files and documents to find out possible serious irregularities, he added.

He informed that the team as per requirement would compare the documents with those stored in the department that deals with the MPO. "Significant irregularities in MPO inclusion have so far been primarily revealed," he said.

The director general further said the Education Ministry has already cancelled some MPO-inclusion orders due to the irregularities.

He said the audit reports on the institutions about which complaints have been lodged with the Commission about mismanagement and financial irregularities or widely publicised have been gathered from the audit department. "The work to collect documents from concerned institutions is still on."

Hanif, also the ACC spokesperson, said the special team has so far contacted or planned to contact Viquarunnisa Noon School and College, Motijheel Ideal School and College, Lalmatia Women College, Titumir College and Borhan Uddin College for looking into financial irregularities, mismanagement, appointment of principals, teachers and employees and irregularities in student admission. "Everyday, new educational institutions are being included in the list."

The ACC director general reminded that private universities and schools are also within the purview of the special team.

Responding to a question, he said the special team would also investigate the allegations of irregularities made against educational institutions in the past.

Corruption eats up 30-50 pc water sector project: TIB

Staff Reporter

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Chairman Prof Muzaffar Ahmad yesterday said mismanagement and corruption caused wastage of about 30-50 percent in different water sector projects in Bangladesh.

He said this while presenting the 'Global Corruption Report-2008: Corruption in Water Sector' at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.

Prof Muzaffar said that much more financial irregularities take place during floating of tenders for water sector projects and in their implementation process. A section of bureaucrats of different ministries that deal with water sector projects are involved in corrupt practices.

He said influential persons having political connections with the help of engineers and other officials were engaged in corruption in various water sector projects like irrigation, river digging and flood control.

According to the TI report, corruption has made the cost of water more expensive in some developing countries than in cities like New York, London or Rome, threatening billions of lives.

The Berlin-based non-governmental organization found in its latest global corruption report that bribes, graft and other forms of wrongdoing are the main reasons for a "global water crisis" that is speeding the pace of environmental degradation.

The report said water sector corruption ranges from petty bribery in water delivery to the looting of irrigation and hydropower funding.

Such corruption -- seen in rich countries as well as poor -- threatens to exacerbate a global food shortage.

"Corruption in the water sector puts the lives and livelihoods of billions of people at risk," the TI report said. "The onset of climate change and the increasing stress on water supply around the world make the fight against corruption in water more urgent than ever."

Calling its report the first to study the impact of water

sector corruption, TI said 1.2 billion people have no guaranteed access to water and 2.6 billion are without proper sanitation.

Irrigated lands help produce 40 percent of the world's food supply but corruption in irrigation is rampant, TI said.

The report said in India corruption adds about 25 percent to irrigation contracts. Elsewhere, graft can increase the cost of connecting households to water networks by up to 30 percent.

"Corruption in drinking water and sanitation emerges at every point along the water delivery chain," it said.

The report said industrialized nations were not immune to corruption, with bid-rigging and price-fixing seen in water infrastructure projects in Europe and the United States.

"Corruption in the water sector is widespread and makes water undrinkable, inaccessible and unaffordable," TI wrote.