By Shannon A.L. Scott
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and some key stakeholders in the education sector on Friday 2nd May, 2025 met with the media to inform the public on misinformation and misconceptions in public platforms regarding public examinations by some unscrupulous individuals and so-called organizations.

The key stakeholders included the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS), Sierra Leone Teachers' Union (SLTU), and the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

The MBSSE’s Chief Education Officer, Edward M. Kpakra, said they called the news conference to ensure that they explain the facts, maintain transparency, and provide the media with the opportunity to pose necessary questions.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, explained what they as a Ministry stand for, the public examination system and their integrity.

According to Minister Conrad Sackey, public examinations including the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) are non-negotiable, adding that the examinations will proceed as scheduled.

“We spared the time to provide a detailed description of the mandatory 2025 public examination procedures that encompass mandatory presence of school heads at examination centers, efficient access control that is backed by official accreditation documents, deployment of accredited supervisors and invigilators, and the absolute ban on unauthorized electronic devices,” Minister Sackey said, adding that disciplinary actions await schools that fail to comply with the aforesaid procedures.

He furthered that they identified certain technological advances which are being applied in order to advance monitoring and integrity of test data.

In respect of the rumours on the social media as to whether it is WAEC that is cancelling exams or changing the names of pupils, Minister Sackey dismissed them as baseless. “They are mere attempts at creating confusion. I beg the public in their own interest to believe only in official and credible sources of information on our national exams,” he said.

Minister Sackey reaffirmed their collective duty to ensure that no child is left behind and that as a Ministry, they are committed to protecting the future of each pupil in Sierra Leone. “Misinformation cannot deter us and administrative failure cannot stand in the way of opportunity,” he assured the public.

MBSSE and its partners concluded by reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of fairness, transparency and accountability in Sierra Leone’s education system.

They therefore urged all stakeholders including candidates, school administrators, parents and the public to support the implementation of the protocols, stressing that collective effort is key to defending credibility in public examinations.