Sierra Leone Loses $25K from Absentee Exam Candidates

Sierra Leone Loses $25K from Absentee Exam Candidates

The Government of Sierra Leone has incurred a financial loss exceeding $25,000 due to payments made for absentee candidates in the 2024 and 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This significant expenditure was disclosed by Minister Sackey, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, during a parliamentary update on the WAEC continuous assessment scores.

Minister Sackey underscored the urgency of establishing rigorous oversight within the school examination registration process to mitigate this considerable financial impact. Consequently, the Ministry has mandated that all school principals and heads must now sign formal undertakings for every candidate registered for the 2026 WASSCE.

Non-compliant institutions face severe punitive measures, including financial penalties and potential dismissal of responsible personnel.

Minister Sackey stated, "The Ministry can no longer absorb the financial burden resulting from absentee or ineligible candidates. Enforcing these measures is critical to safeguarding public funds and ensuring the integrity of our national examination system."

The Ministry further announced that it will collaborate closely with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate any principal found in violation of these directives. This proactive step is part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance accountability, uphold educational standards, and restore public trust in Sierra Leone's examination structure.

These new directives signal the government's firm commitment to preventing further financial waste and maintaining the credibility of the national examinations in advance of the 2026 WASSCE.