The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Conrad Sackey, has issued a strong warning to schools, teachers and education officials across Sierra Leone, declaring that no school has the legal authority to charge parents or guardians any fee before releasing pupils’ report cards.
Addressing parents and guardians directly, the Minister emphasized that report cards are the rightful property of pupils and their families and must never be withheld because of unpaid or unauthorized charges.
“I want to speak directly to every parent and guardian in Sierra Leone: no school, teacher or school official has the right to charge you a cent to release your child’s report card,” Conrad Sackey stated. “That report card belongs to your child. It belongs to you. Access to it must never be conditioned on any payment, full stop.”
The Minister urged parents whose children are asked to pay money before receiving their report cards to request official receipts for any payment demanded and immediately report the matter to the Ministry, describing such demands as a clear warning sign of illegal conduct.
“If any school insists on collecting money before handing over a report card, ask for an official receipt, and know that this demand is a red flag I need you to report to us,” he said.
He assured the public that the Ministry would thoroughly investigate every complaint received and take appropriate action against anyone found violating Government policy.
“Call our toll-free line, 8060 or reach any senior official in this Ministry directly. Every report will be taken seriously and we will act,” the Minister stressed.
Conrad Sackey further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the Free Quality School Education Programme, noting that no illegal financial demand should prevent any child from accessing educational services.
“Free Quality School Education means exactly that, free. I will not let illegal fees stand between any child and their education,” he declared.
The Minister’s statement follows a Press Release issued by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education on 27 July 2026, warning against the illegal collection of fees for report cards.
According to the Ministry, reports have been received indicating that some schools have been demanding unauthorized payments from parents and guardians before releasing pupils’ report cards. The Ministry described the practice as illegal, unacceptable and contrary to the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to providing free quality education for every child.
The Ministry reiterated that no school, teacher or school official is authorized to request payment for the collection of report cards at the end of any academic term. It further stated that report cards are the right of every pupil and access to them must never be linked to any form of payment.
Parents and guardians have also been advised to request official receipts whenever any payment is demanded and to immediately report any charges that fall outside approved Ministry guidelines.
The Ministry urged members of the public to report violations through its toll-free line, 8060, or directly to senior Ministry officials. It assured the public that all reports would be treated seriously and that appropriate action would be taken against schools or individuals found violating the directive.
Additionally, the Ministry called on parents, teachers and school administrators to work together to protect the integrity of the Free Quality School Education Programme and encouraged anyone who has already made such illegal payments to submit evidence to support investigations.
The Press Release, signed by Edward Kpakra, Chief Education Officer, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that every Sierra Leonean child enjoys unhindered access to quality education free from illegal financial barriers while thanking the public for its continued vigilance and cooperation in safeguarding the country’s education system.
