After a downslide in 2014, class V students fared better in Primary Terminal Examination (PTE) 2015, registering a slight rise in both pass rates and number of GPA-5 scorers.

The success rate in PTE 2015 stood at 98.52 percent, up by 0.6 percentage points from 2014.

The number of students securing highest grade points, GPA-5 (Grade Point Average), rose to 2,75,980 from 2,24,411 in 2014, according to the results published yesterday.

Officials and teachers attributed combined effort of all to the success. They said better care by teachers and guardians, and awareness of students about rising competitiveness contributed to the achievement.

According to the statistics provided by the ministry of primary and mass education, students did well in all six subjects, especially in English and mathematics, which pushed the results up.

The pass rate in English was 99.18 percent while the rate in mathematics was 99.36 percent.

The students also performed outstandingly well in religious and moral education with a success rate of 99.91 percent.

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman announced the results formally at a crowded press conference around 12:30pm at his secretariat office in the capital.

Students collected results from their own institutions or through internet and mobile phone SMS services soon after the briefing. Jubilant students and parents came out on the streets in cheers as soon the results were out.

According to the results, 28,39,238 students -- 15,20,128 girls and 12,77,146 boys -- passed the examination. A total of 41,964 students flunked the exams.

Unlike in 2014, girls were much ahead of boys in terms of success rate.

Some 29.50 lakh students took the PTE 2015 exams, conducted by the Directorate of Primary Education, on November 22 across the country. Students of class V must qualify at the exams to enrol in class VI.

The number of total examinees and number of schools with cent percent pass rate rose remarkably with number of schools with zero percent pass rate coming down.

A total of 91,227 institutions witnessed cent percent pass rate against 72,057 in 2014. The number schools with zero percent pass rate came down to 153.

The pass rate of Ebtedai (primary level of madrasa) examinations, held along with the PTE, was 91.87 percent.

Rajshahi topped the list among all seven divisions, with 99 percent success rate. With 96.79 percent, Sylhet remains at the bottom.

As in previous years, Munshiganj saw the cent percent pass rate, leaving 63 other districts behind. At the upazila level, 23 out of 509 upazilas saw cent percent pass rate.

A total of 4,640 children with special needs took the exams and over 96.64 percent of them passed the test.

The government primary schools topped the success chart with over 99.97 percent students passing the test. Schools affiliated with Primary Training Institute (PTI) stood second with 99.69 percent pass rate.

Asked about what made Rajshahi division outshine others, the primary minister said it was a matter of research.

About the schools that lagged behind, the minister said they would definitely look into the matter and hold accountable the people who were responsible for it.