The British Council has recognised 64 students from 30 English-medium schools across Bangladesh for achieving the highest distinction grades in nine or more subjects in their May/June 2026 examinations.

The Scholars’ Award 2026 ceremony was held at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden on 14 November, bringing together more than 200 school leaders, educators, parents and representatives of the British Council’s network of 200 partner schools nationwide.

The awards recognised students who achieved the highest distinction grades in nine or more subjects in Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel O Level, IGCSE and International GCSE qualifications. The British Council administers these examinations on behalf of UK examination boards.

Of the 64 awardees, 57 O Level and IGCSE/International GCSE students received scholarships of Tk25,000 each, sponsored by City Bank PLC, to support their future studies. The seven A Level awardees received gift vouchers from GoZayaan, the event’s travel partner.

Maarya Rehman, deputy director of the British Council in Bangladesh, said the number of awardees had increased from 22 when the Scholars’ Award programme began to 64 this year.

“That growth tells us something about the ambition of our young people and the strength of our partner schools,” she said.

She added that the British Council aimed not only to deliver examinations with integrity and care but also to build a community that celebrates excellence and connects students with opportunities internationally.

Md Arup Haider, deputy managing director and head of retail banking at City Bank PLC, said the bank was proud to recognise the students’ achievements and hoped the initiative would inspire them to realise their potential and contribute to Bangladesh’s future.

Farjana Absar Jeba, assistant manager (commercial) at GoZayaan Limited, encouraged the students to pursue their ambitions, saying their efforts would take them places.

Zunayed Ahmed, managing director and head of market at British Council Bangladesh, said achieving the highest grades in nine or more subjects reflected students’ hard work, discipline and curiosity.

“Scholars, today is a milestone, not a finish line. Stay curious, stay generous, and use what you have learned to make a difference, in Bangladesh and beyond,” he said.

At the ceremony, all 64 students received crests and certificates in recognition of their academic achievements. One of the top achievers also shared reflections on their learning journey, challenges and future aspirations.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Tahnee Yeasmin, director of business development at British Council Bangladesh.

Representatives of international examination boards also attended the event, including Sarwat Reza, country lead for Bangladesh, and Md Nakib Haider, business development manager for Bangladesh, of Cambridge University Press & Assessment; Abdullah Al Mamun and Jannatul Ferdous Sigma, regional development managers at Pearson Edexcel; and Shahin Reza, country director for Bangladesh and Nepal at Oxford AQA.