1,927 NPSE Results Withheld: Kids Advocacy Network Threatens ECOWAS Court Action

The Kids Advocacy Network has warned that it may pursue legal action at the ECOWAS Court over the withholding of 1,927 results from the 2026 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) if discussions with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fail to resolve the matter.

Executive Director Edmond Alim Fornah, speaking on Wake Up Sierra Leone, said the organisation will first engage the Ministry and WAEC to understand how they intend to address the issue before considering court action.

Fornah said the affected pupils, aged roughly nine to twelve, should not be blamed for suspected examination irregularities or administrative failures, arguing that they are victims of circumstances beyond their control. He also raised concerns about schools that failed to submit continuous assessment scores, saying children should not suffer the consequences.

He described the withholding of the results as a child-rights concern, warning that the uncertainty could cause emotional distress and affect the pupils’ transition to the next stage of their education.

While commending the Ministry for extending the deadline for schools to submit outstanding continuous assessment scores, Fornah said the extension may not resolve the situation for all affected pupils. He suggested that authorities could consider conducting another examination for pupils whose results remain withheld, especially as they are currently on holiday, giving officials an opportunity to resolve the matter before schools reopen.

Fornah also called on Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Conrad Sackey to publicly explain the reasons for the withheld results and outline the Ministry’s plans to address the situation.

The Kids Advocacy Network maintains that the affected children should not bear the consequences of administrative shortcomings and is calling for a solution that prioritises their educational and welfare interests. Fornah said the organisation will first pursue dialogue with the Ministry and WAEC, but ECOWAS Court action remains an option if those efforts fail.