By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, has assured the public of the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and timely reforms in the education sector, particularly concerning the 2025 WASSCE candidates.
Speaking during a Press Conference organized by the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) at the Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building, the Minister addressed multiple concerns surrounding the fate of pupils from 82 schools whose West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) status remains uncertain.
“We are not magicians. It’s not about waving a magic wand it’s a process of continuous improvement,” Conrad Sackey noted. “We’ve initiated an investigation into the issue of non-compliance by certain schools. The Education Assessment Team (EAT) schools will be invited to provide evidence. The Ministry has its own findings and a determination will be made accordingly.”
The Minister revealed that the investigation is already underway and is expected to be concluded by the end of April 2025 to ensure readiness for the next academic cycle. He also emphasized the Ministry’s intention to publicly publish examination procedures and timelines on its website and in local newspapers. “We plan to engage parents more robustly, making them partners in ensuring that schools meet all set deadlines,” he added.
Regarding the affected students, the Education Minister confirmed that the Government has committed to covering the cost for those students to sit private WASSCE exams. In addition, partnerships with non-state actors are being pursued to provide supplementary tutoring for disadvantaged pupils.
“We want to ensure that no child is left out of the system. Whether you sat the exam in a public or private setting, as long as you have a valid WASSCE certificate, it will grant you access to post-secondary education,” he assured.
On the question of potential disciplinary actions against the 82 schools, Conrad Sackey clarified that due process must be followed. “We are a democracy. The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is currently handling the matter and based on their findings, recommendations will be made and considered at the leadership level of the Ministry.”
In response to speculation about the postponement of the new WASSCE syllabus, the Minister said discussions are ongoing with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). “Implementing a new syllabus is a complex process involving coordination with WAEC’s four other member states. It requires careful consideration and technical input. We are still in talks and I cannot make any conclusive statements yet.”
Conrad Sackey concluded by stressing the need to put an end to recurring administrative challenges. “We are only two years into this new system, and we’ve had our teething problems. But I hope this will be the final year we face these kinds of issues. We are committed to making the process open, fair and accountable.”
Esther Mansaray, a left-out pupil from Methodist Girls High School, has expressed deep disappointment over the exclusion of thousands of pupils from this year’s WASSCE exams.
Speaking during the event, Esther Mansaray shared that her mother had made significant financial sacrifices in preparation for her to sit the exams, only to be told she would not be writing them. “This situation has left many of us devastated,” she said. “A friend of mine, upon hearing that her name was not on the list, overdosed on drugs and had to be rushed to the hospital.”
She emphasized that such incidents contribute to the growing issue of drug abuse among young people, as well as rising cases of early marriage and teenage pregnancy.
Esther Mansaray called on the Government to urgently implement mechanisms to address the crisis, warning that its implications are far-reaching and detrimental to the future of pupils across the country.
Osman A. Bah, President of the Western Area Rural District Children’s Forum Network (CFN), has voiced serious concern over the exclusion of pupils from the upcoming WASSCE exams.
He revealed that the CFN has received numerous complaints from both pupils and parents, expressing frustration and disappointment over the issue.
Osman Bah extended appreciation to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, for honoring their invitation to engage in dialogue about the way forward. He emphasized that as a child-led organization, the CFN’s core responsibility is to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of children across the country.
He noted that the exclusion of pupils from the WASSCE has severe implications on their academic and personal development. He therefore urged the Government to take concrete steps to address the situation and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“We are encouraged by the Minister’s commitment that the Government will fund the private WASSCE exams for affected pupils,” he said. “However, we also want to stress the need for proactive measures to ensure such an issue does not repeat itself.”
He concluded by reaffirming CFN’s support for the affected pupils: “We stand in solidarity with the thousands of pupils who will not be writing the WASSCE this year.”
