In response to the disheartening outcomes of the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana, a renowned Sierra Leonean journalist, has passionately called for immediate action.
Fofana’s plea comes in light of the persistently poor performance of WASSCE candidates in English Language, a subject that has posed challenges for over a decade.
He is urging the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU), Teaching Service Commission (TSC), and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) to convene a conference dedicated to dissecting the issue. He raises critical questions about whether the problem lies with the candidates or the English Language teaching methods and seeks solutions to ameliorate the situation.
The 2023 WASSCE, a pivotal examination for Sierra Leonean students and their West African counterparts, witnessed an unprecedented surge in participation, with a staggering 243,202 students taking part. This figure surpasses the 2023 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) enrollment of 163,860 and the 2022 WASSCE participation of 206,874.
However, the English Language results cast a shadow over this surge, as only 17% of candidates managed to achieve a credit or better in the subject.
As Sierra Leone grapples with these educational challenges, Fofana’s call to action reverberates throughout the nation.
The imperative now is to initiate a constructive dialogue that aims to address the issues surrounding English Language education. Through collaborative efforts and a firm commitment to improving the quality of instruction, Sierra Leone aspires to enhance the academic prospects of its students and pave the way for a brighter future.
