Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 27, 2026 – The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has released a strongly worded public notice, declaring Saturday, February 28, 2026, as the absolute final deadline for private senior secondary schools to upload their candidates’ data onto the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Batch Registration System (BRS) online portal for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The notice, signed by the Chief Education Officer and dated February 27, 2026, highlights that despite multiple prior reminders, ongoing support from the Ministry, District Education Offices, Parliament, and the Council of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS), a number of private schools have still not complied with the upload requirements.
This non-compliance, the Ministry warns, “threatens pupils’ academic future and undermines national efforts to ensure equitable access to quality education.”
Parents and guardians are urged to take immediate action:
Contact your child’s school right away to verify that their data has been successfully uploaded to the BRS.
Treat the matter with the highest urgency, as last-minute issues could prevent candidates from being eligible to sit the WASSCE examinations.
School heads and proprietors face serious consequences for failure to meet the deadline:
Personal liability for any legitimate candidates not uploaded.
Sanctions under the Education Act 2023, which may include administrative, regulatory, and financial penalties.
No appeals, excuses, or extensions will be entertained once the portal closes on February 28, 2026.
In related reports from local media outlets such as Sierra Loaded and AYV News, the Ministry has consistently emphasized since early February that the February 28 cutoff is final and non-negotiable. School heads risk bearing the full cost of private WASSCE registration for any affected students forced to register individually due to upload failures.
The MBSSE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting students’ interests and enforcing accountability across the education sector. Schools requiring assistance are directed to contact their respective District Education Offices promptly.
A list of affected schools is reportedly attached to the official notice.
With the current date being late March 2026, the registration window has now closed. Students, parents, and schools impacted by any oversights should urgently reach out to the MBSSE or WAEC for guidance on next steps or potential remedies.
The 2026 WASSCE remains a pivotal examination for Sierra Leonean secondary school candidates seeking progression to higher education or professional opportunities.
