By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, has officially confirmed the commencement of the 2025 public examinations, assuring the public of a secure, credible and fair assessment process for all pupils across Sierra Leone.
Speaking at a Press Conference held at the Ministry’s headquarters on New England Ville in Freetown, the Minister emphasized the national importance of the National Primary School Examination (NPSE), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), describing them as a test not only of knowledge but of integrity and national values.
“There comes a moment in every nation’s journey when the future is weighed not by fortune or chance, but by the preparation, discipline and determination of its young minds. That moment is now,” the Minister stated, adding that thousands of children across the country are set to begin their examinations in an atmosphere designed to uphold dignity and justice.
In a move to safeguard the credibility of the exams, the Ministry has formed key strategic alliances with national institutions. These include:
- The Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU) for classroom oversight and academic integrity;
- The Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS) to ensure uniform standards across schools;
- The Sierra Leone Police to maintain order and security at exam centers;
- The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to prevent and address any form of examination malpractice.
“These partnerships are a bold declaration: we will not compromise the future of this nation,” Conrad Sackey stressed warning that any attempt to undermine the process will face swift and decisive action.
To pupils preparing for the exams, he offered words of encouragement: “Your efforts matter. Your dreams are valid. Your future is bright. You are not alone; the entire nation is behind you.”
He also extended appreciation to teachers, school heads, parents and guardians, praising their continued commitment to upholding the standards of education.
Delivering a joint statement by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU), Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS), Sierra Leone Police, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Chief Education Officer, Edward M. Kpakra, on behalf of the MBSSE, outlined detailed compulsory guidelines for the conduct of the National Primary School Examination (NPSE), the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to the release, all school Principals are mandated to be physically present at their respective examination centres for the full duration of the exams. Their direct supervision is considered crucial in ensuring the smooth and credible administration of the high-stakes national assessments.
He added that the Ministry also emphasized that only certified and vetted teachers will be allowed to serve as supervisors and invigilators during the exams. The responsibility for selecting and vetting these individuals rests solely with school heads and the CPSS. To reinforce this, every school is required to submit an official list of supervisors and invigilators on the school’s letterhead, signed and stamped by the school head.
In terms of access and monitoring, the CEO said only Ministry of Education personnel who have been properly accredited through documentation signed and stamped by the Chief Education Officer will be permitted to monitor examination proceedings. Unauthorized individuals will be strictly barred from entering examination centres.
He said the press release warns against any form of violence or interference involving examination staff. The Ministry noted that any attacks or obstruction of exam personnel will be met with full investigations and could result in the non-recognition of the examination centre involved, along with the cancellation of candidates’ results.
The role of security personnel has also been clearly defined. While Police Officers and other security forces will be deployed to maintain external security and respond to emergencies, they are explicitly prohibited from entering examination halls once tests have commenced.
Additionally, he said candidates will only be allowed to take the exams if their names appear in the official Mark Attendance Register (MAR), which must correspond with their Year One Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS). This move is intended to prevent impersonation and ensure proper registration.
As part of its security protocol, the Ministry has mandated the use of metal detectors and other security checks before the start of each exam session. However, to avoid unnecessary disruption and stress for candidates, no security screening is to take place during the actual exam periods unless under exceptional circumstances.
The ACC has been granted unrestricted access to all examination centres. Any accredited ACC personnel, once properly identified, may enter premises at any time to monitor compliance and intervene where necessary. Furthermore, schools found obstructing or delaying access to exam centres for ACC officials or other authorized personnel will face legal repercussions.
In a final measure to prevent malpractice, invigilators are strictly prohibited from carrying bags or mobile phones into the examination halls. This rule is aimed at minimizing the risk of unauthorized materials being brought into the exam environment.
Concluding the statement, the MBSSE and its partner institutions reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of fairness, transparency and accountability in Sierra Leone’s education system. They urged all stakeholders including school administrators, candidates, parents and the wider public to support the implementation of the afore mentioned protocols, stressing that collective effort is essential in defending the credibility of public examinations in the country.
