Freetown, Sierra Leone* – The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Conrad Sackey, has responded to public concerns following the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing corporal punishment at a local school.
In a social media statement, the Minister confirmed that he led an immediate investigation into the matter, accompanied by senior education officials.
“Following the circulation of a viral video that allegedly depicted an incident of corporal punishment at a local school, I took immediate steps to investigate the matter,” Sackey wrote. “Accompanied by the Chief Education Officer, Mr. Edward Kpakra, and other senior officials from the Ministry, I visited the school in question to establish the facts and engage directly with the relevant stakeholders.”
According to Sackey, the Ministry’s team met with the school’s management and teachers before speaking with the young woman who filmed the footage.
He described her as “visibly emotional” during the conversation, during which she was comforted by the headmistress and teachers.
The headmistress denied any act of corporal punishment occurred, stating that the video was filmed when pupils were gathered outside in response to a parent’s complaint.
“The school does not condone or engage in corporal punishment,” she reportedly said. Sackey acknowledged that the video could be “easily misinterpreted by the public.”
Reaffirming government policy, Sackey emphasized, “The Government of Sierra Leone has a zero-tolerance policy on corporal punishment and all forms of abuse in our schools. The Education Act of 2023 explicitly prohibits corporal punishment, including not just physical acts but also threats and any behavior that undermines the dignity of pupils.”
He further stated that the Ministry’s visit was not a condemnation of the school, but rather a demonstration of its commitment to student welfare.
“Our visit and inquiry should not be seen as an indictment of the school, but rather as part of our responsibility to protect the rights and well-being of every child,” he said. “As Minister, it is my duty to ensure that learning environments remain safe, inclusive, and supportive of every child’s growth and dignity.”
The Ministry of Education has pledged to continue monitoring the situation and to take necessary actions to uphold child protection standards.
“We remain committed to promoting child-friendly educational spaces throughout the country,” Sackey concluded.
