Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has dismissed circulating social media claims suggesting that the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results were destroyed in a fire.
Over the past week, voice notes and videos alleging that the results had been burnt and that students would have to retake the exams spread widely on WhatsApp and Facebook, creating fear and uncertainty among students, parents, and teachers across the country.
One secondary school teacher told reporters that the misinformation caused panic among many families. “Parents and pupils have been calling in distress. It’s unfortunate how false stories can cause such alarm,” the teacher said.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has assured the public that the rumors are baseless.
Posting on its official Facebook page, MBSSE stated clearly that no results were lost or destroyed and emphasized that there are no plans for candidates to resit the exams.
Fact-checking organizations have also confirmed that the claims are false. The delay in releasing the 2025 WASSCE results, according to officials, was linked to financial challenges but has since been resolved. WAEC has now confirmed that the results are available online for students to access.
Authorities are calling on the public to verify information through official channels and to refrain from spreading unverified news that could trigger unnecessary panic.
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