In a move that signals a return to traditional educational frameworks, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) of Bangladesh has announced the reinstatement of the division system for the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. This decision, coupled with the release of a revised syllabus and detailed exam format, marks a departure from the “new curriculum” introduced under the previous government.
The NCTB confirmed that the syllabus will encompass 32 subjects across the science, humanities, and business studies streams. The examination structure will follow a familiar pattern, with subjects without a practical component allocating 70 marks for essay-type questions and 30 marks for multiple-choice questions. Subjects with practical components will have a 75-mark theory paper and a 25-mark practical examination.
This announcement comes after the interim government’s decision to abandon the “National Curriculum Outline-2021,” citing feasibility concerns. The Ministry of Education has expressed its commitment to finalizing a revised curriculum by 2025, with full implementation slated for 2026. In the interim, students will be provided with textbooks aligned with the National Curriculum-2012, effectively reverting to the pre-2024 system.
The NCTB has assured students and educators that the revised syllabus is designed to be completed within a single academic year. The board is currently in the process of revising and printing textbooks based on the 2012 curriculum for distribution in 2025, ensuring continuity and a smooth transition for students preparing for the 2026 SSC exams.
This return to a familiar curriculum is expected to provide clarity and stability for students and educators alike, while the government works towards the development and implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable national curriculum for the future.
SSC Short Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
