The school system in Bangladesh is divided in four levels:

• Primary Level (years 1 to 5)
• Secondary Level (years 6 to 10)
• Higher Secondary Level (years 11 and 12)
• Tertiary Level

Starting from 1st grade the children have to pass the local school exams to be eligible to continue to the higher class. In grade 5, 8, 10 and 12 the students also sit for the national Board exam (arranged and controlled by the Mininistry of education), which they have to pass to be eligible to continue to the next level. To be allowed to take the Board exam the students have to pass the local school exam first.

There are seven eductional boards in Bangladesh, and the EDS students belong to the Jessore Board. In 2010, the number of chidren taking the 5th and 8th grade Jessore Board exam were 2.000.000 and 1.152.536 respectively.

The grading system is as follows:

5th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade

A+: above 80% correct (GPA 5)

A: 70-79% (GPA 4)

A-: 60-69% (GPA 3.5)

B: 50-59% (GPA 3)

C: 40-49% (GPA 2)

D: 33-39% (GPA 1)

F: 0-32% (GPA 0)