Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, has appeared before Parliament to address the controversy surrounding the exclusion of several pupils from the ongoing 2025 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The issue, which has sparked widespread public concern, was raised following a parliamentary summons under Section 107 of the 1991 Constitution.
Minister Sackey described the situation as a significant challenge to quality assurance in the education sector. He attributed the exclusion of students to multiple factors, including the failure of some schools to comply with procedural deadlines and the submission of fraudulent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
“Some schools entered the names of pupils who were not qualified to sit the WASSCE and failed to meet the required criteria,” Sackey said. He disclosed that 892 schools adhered to the deadlines, but 82 schools failed to comply, leading to the exclusion of several students.
The Minister further noted that some schools attempted to submit incorrect BECE records for candidates, preventing them from gaining entry into the WASSCE portal. He emphasized that the ministry had made several appeals to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to reopen the registration portal, but those requests were unsuccessful.
Sackey announced that the government would assist affected students by covering the costs for a private WASSCE, but only for those who genuinely qualify. “This private examination is not a blanket provision. It is strictly for those who were eligible for the 2025 Government WASSCE but were unable to sit due to administrative lapses,” he clarified.
In his address, Sackey condemned examination malpractice and underscored the need for a unique learner identity system to curb fraudulent practices. He also revealed plans to gazette approved schools and present a comprehensive Education Bill to Parliament, aimed at addressing systemic issues in the sector.
During the parliamentary session, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara expressed frustration over the impact on parents and students, criticizing the lack of coordination between schools and the ministry.
Hon. Alpha Fode Madie Jabbie, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, defended the Ministry, arguing that some schools deliberately failed to comply with entry procedures.
Hon. Daniel Koroma, Deputy Leader of Opposition 1, called for urgent government intervention, stressing that parents and pupils were bearing the brunt of administrative shortcomings.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing educational challenges, urging the ministry to provide clear solutions for excluded pupils.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Sackey assured Parliament of his ministry’s dedication to resolving the crisis and implementing reforms to prevent future occurrences. He emphasized that the proposed Education Bill would address the root causes of the issues affecting the education sector in Sierra Leone.
By Josephine Phillips
