Gov’t Turns to Technology to Detect Examination Irregularities

The Government of Sierra Leone is turning to technology as part of efforts to strengthen examination monitoring and detect irregularities that could undermine the credibility of the country’s education system.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Hon. Conrad Sackey disclosed the initiative on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during a Special Edition Civic Town Hall held at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown.

The programme, hosted by Minister of Information and Civic Education Hon. Chernor Bah, focused on the theme, “How Do We Address the Threats to Quality Education in Sierra Leone?”

Minister Sackey explained that digital systems could help authorities analyse large volumes of examination data and identify unusual patterns, duplicated information and other indicators of potential examination irregularities.

He said the use of technology would form part of broader government efforts to combat examination malpractice and protect the integrity of the education system.

The Minister also provided clarification on the recently released National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results, in which about 161,000 pupils sat the examination and recorded a 78.2 percent pass rate.

He said 1,927 results were withheld, but stressed that the figure should not be interpreted as meaning all the affected pupils were involved in examination malpractice.

According to Sackey, about 1,640 results were withheld because some schools failed to submit the required continuous assessment cards, while only about 0.2 percent of candidates were linked to alleged examination malpractice.

As part of efforts to strengthen examination integrity, Sackey disclosed that Government is also working on a new White Paper to replace the existing examination policy, which dates back to 1984. The new framework is expected to introduce stronger measures against practices that compromise the credibility of examinations.

Sackey further revealed that 58 principals had previously been suspended for one year without pay over examination-related offences, while other cases remain under investigation.

He stressed that technology alone cannot eliminate examination malpractice, calling for greater involvement from parents, teachers, pupils, civil society organisations and the media in protecting examination standards.

The Minister also clarified that the deployment of military personnel during the NPSE was primarily intended to protect examination materials and maintain the security of the examination process, rather than intimidate pupils.

Sackey said maintaining examination integrity is essential to ensuring that pupils are assessed fairly and that the qualifications they eventually receive accurately reflect their knowledge and abilities.