In a recent statement, the Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Yusuf Keketoma Sandy, shed light on the critical issue of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) withholding the results of the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The withholding of 34,525 results from the 2023 WASSCE in Sierra Leone has sent shockwaves through the education sector, impacting thousands of students.
Sandy highlighted two primary reasons behind this unsettling decision by WAEC. Firstly, cases of exam malpractice were reported, with some students being caught using unauthorized gadgets and engaging in collusion during the examinations. Secondly, certain schools failed to fulfill their financial obligations to WAEC, adding to the complexity of the situation.
The consequences of these withheld results have left many students in a state of distress, particularly those who took the exams in schools facing issues with WAEC. These affected students are anxiously awaiting the release of their results, as these scores play a pivotal role in determining their educational and career paths, including access to technical level studies.
This situation underscores the gravity of the matter at hand. It is imperative that schools promptly meet their financial commitments to WAEC, and students must refrain from participating in exam malpractice, as the future of countless students hangs in the balance.
Furthermore, Sandy called upon the government to take measures ensuring that all students have equal access to quality education, irrespective of their financial backgrounds. The education system’s integrity and the aspirations of Sierra Leone’s youth are at stake.
The announcement of the withheld results was made by Minister of Basic And Senior Secondary School Education (MBSSE), Conrad Sackey, during the release of the 2023 WASSCE results on Monday, October 2, 2023. The results for 28 private schools, which owe WAEC, were conspicuously absent, leaving 33,238 students without their results. An additional 6,658 students were absent from all subjects, further compounding the challenge.
In May 2023, a total of 243,202 students sat for the WASSCE in Sierra Leone, encompassing 115,033 male and 128,170 female candidates. This examination, administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), serves a dual purpose in determining eligibility for tertiary education and certifying the completion of secondary education.
The resolution of this situation carries immense significance for the education landscape in Sierra Leone, affecting the hopes and futures of thousands of students and the integrity of the nation’s examination system.
Please 🙏🙏 minster release our results please 🙏🙏🙏