Proposal to Implement Uniform Grading in Government and Private Universities

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

The government has taken an initiative to implement a unified standard for student assessment in the country’s higher education system. The draft Education Act, prepared by the Ministry of Education, mentions a plan to implement a uniform grading system for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across all government and private universities.

In the draft Act, published on Monday (February 2), Chapter 9, Section 31, under the heading “Examinations and Evaluation,” it is stated that student results at the higher education level will be evaluated under a unified grading framework. If this proposal is implemented, all universities in the country will have to follow the same method for determining marks and grades.

Previously, a similar initiative had been undertaken. In 2022, the University Grants Commission (UGC) attempted to implement a single grading system, but due to practical and policy-related complexities, it could not be realized. Now, by including this in the draft Education Act, experts believe the initiative may gain policy-based legitimacy and actually be implemented.

According to the grading framework proposed by the UGC, students who score 80 percent or above will receive an “A Plus” or CGPA 4. Scores between 75 to 79 will be graded “A,” 70 to 74 as “A Minus.” As the marks decrease gradually, the grades B Plus, B, B Minus, C Plus, C, and D are assigned. Students scoring below 40 percent will be considered “Fail.”

Currently, there is a significant difference in grading methods among various universities. While some public universities, including the University of Dhaka, award CGPA 4 for achieving 80 percent marks, many renowned private universities require students to score 90 percent or more for the same grade. In some institutions, students scoring less than 60 percent are directly considered to have failed.

An official from the Ministry of Education stated that in 2006, a uniform grading system was determined and all universities were instructed to follow it. However, over time, some institutions deviated from this directive. This new initiative through the draft Education Act aims to bring all universities under a single grading framework.

Experts suggest that implementing a uniform grading system will make results from universities comparable and increase transparency in determining the quality of higher education. However, for it to be effective, coordination with all stakeholders in the implementation process is essential.