Government Moves to Introduce Centralized Admissions System for Higher Education

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has commenced consultations on the introduction of a Centralized Admissions System (CAS), a major reform aimed at streamlining admissions into universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Sierra Leone.

The proposed system was the subject of a high-level stakeholder engagement held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown, bringing together vice chancellors, education regulators, examination bodies, technology institutions, and government agencies to deliberate on its implementation and potential impact on the country’s higher education sector.

Addressing participants, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, said the current admissions process faces significant challenges due to the limited time between the release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and the commencement of academic programmes.

She explained that under the proposed system, students would apply to universities and TVET institutions during their penultimate year of secondary school and receive conditional admission offers before sitting their final examinations. Admissions would subsequently be confirmed through a centralized digital platform directly linked to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results system.

Dr. Wurie disclosed that the initiative has already received Cabinet approval and is supported by provisions contained in the Universities Act of 2021.

“Our objective is not replication, but adaptation,” she stated, noting that the Ministry has drawn lessons from similar systems in other countries, particularly Nigeria, while tailoring the model to Sierra Leone’s specific needs.

Permanent Secretary Mohamed Sheick Kargbo described the initiative as a significant step toward modernizing higher education administration. He acknowledged that the introduction of a new system may raise concerns among some stakeholders but emphasized that the reform is intended to improve coordination and efficiency rather than reduce institutional autonomy.

“We must address concerns through engagement and dialogue,” Kargbo said, stressing the importance of stakeholder participation throughout the reform process.

Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara said the Centralized Admissions System forms part of the Government’s broader Human Capital Development agenda and revealed that it would be managed through a dedicated Centralized Admissions Secretariat within the Ministry.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. Conrad Sackey, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major step toward enhancing transparency, accountability, and fairness in student admissions.

“This system will ensure that all students are assessed using the same criteria,” he noted.

Stakeholders within the education sector also expressed support for the proposed reform. Chairman of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, Prof. Edwin J.J. Momoh, said the centralized platform could help address longstanding challenges, including multiple applications by students, inconsistent admission requirements, communication delays, and duplication of records.

Similarly, Chairman of the Conference of Principals, Peter J. Sandy, stated that the system would strengthen the credibility of admissions, curb fraudulent practices, and create greater opportunities for students, particularly those in provincial communities.

Representatives from several key institutions pledged their support for the initiative. WAEC’s Matilda Jusu reaffirmed the examination body’s commitment to the process, while Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission, Prof. Osman Sankoh, assured stakeholders of the Commission’s regulatory backing.

The National Communications Authority (NatCA), represented by Abdul Ben Foday, pledged support in ensuring data security and nationwide digital connectivity. Meanwhile, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), through Mohamed Massaquoi, highlighted the importance of integrating the National Identification Number (NIN) into the admissions process to help eliminate identity fraud and impersonation.

A notable feature of the engagement was the participation of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which operates one of Africa’s longest-running centralized admissions systems.

Prof. Oloyede commended Sierra Leone’s consultative approach and pledged continued technical support for the initiative. He noted that Nigeria introduced its centralized admissions framework in 1978 and has continued to refine and strengthen the system over the years.

Government officials described the proposed Centralized Admissions System as a transformative reform that will simplify admissions procedures, improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and expand access to higher education opportunities for thousands of Sierra Leonean students nationwide.