By Mohamed KaiKai
The College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) at the University of Sierra Leone has rusticated six students and terminated the contracts of six lecturers after an investigation confirmed widespread examination malpractice during the Pre-Admission Examination for its Diploma in Nursing programme.
The disciplinary action follows an investigation launched after the college cancelled the entrance examination on March 10, 2026, over allegations of irregularities.
More than 800 candidates sat the examination, which is used to select students for one of the country’s most competitive nursing training programmes.
COMAHS established a seven-member committee to investigate the allegations. The committee reviewed reports submitted by the Examinations Officer and examination supervisors, interviewed relevant officials and examined evidence relating to the conduct of the examination.
According to the college, the committee found that examination malpractice had occurred and implicated both students and members of staff in breaches of examination regulations.
Based on the committee’s findings, six students were rusticated, while the contracts of six lecturers were terminated for their involvement in the malpractice.
The college said the sanctions reflect its commitment to protecting the integrity of its academic programmes and ensuring that admissions are conducted in accordance with established rules and ethical standards.
COMAHS did not release the names of those sanctioned but said the disciplinary measures were taken in line with the institution’s regulations after due process.
The cancellation of the examination in March left hundreds of applicants uncertain about their admission prospects.
The university has not yet announced whether a replacement examination will be organised for candidates affected by the cancellation.
Examination malpractice remains a persistent challenge within some educational institutions in Sierra Leone, prompting repeated calls from education authorities for stricter supervision, stronger enforcement of examination regulations and greater accountability among both students and academic staff.
The latest disciplinary action by COMAHS is one of the most significant sanctions taken by a higher education institution in Sierra Leone in recent years against both students and lecturers over examination malpractice, underscoring the university’s resolve to uphold academic integrity and public confidence in its qualifications.
