Watchdog Praises Ministry Crackdown on Illegal Result Fees

Watchdog Praises Ministry Crackdown on Illegal Result Fees

The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) has commended the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education for its swift intervention following allegations that Agape Primary School demanded unauthorized charges from parents to release National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results.

In a press statement, CARL-SL welcomed the Ministry’s directive summoning school authorities and ordering the immediate refund of all collected fees. The watchdog organization reiterated that access to NPSE results must be free, warning that unauthorized financial demands place immense pressure on struggling families and risk keeping children out of school.

Despite Agape's status as a private school, CARL-SL stressed that it remains subject to government oversight, urging the Ministry to apply regulatory standards consistently across all public, government-assisted, and private institutions.

With JSS One admission interviews underway, CARL-SL called on the Ministry to publish approved school fees in a timely manner. The organization warned that unauthorized charges constitute a potential corruption risk and urged parents to document and report any illicit financial demands.

To ensure transparency, CARL-SL announced plans to monitor the school admissions process in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Commission, civil society, and other education stakeholders to protect families from unlawful financial exploitation.