Freetown, Sierra Leone – 11 March 2026 -The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has moved swiftly to quash a forged document spreading rapidly on social media, warning schools, parents and the public that no ban on school camping has been issued.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry declared that a purported circular dated 6 March 2026, titled “Banning of All School Camping Within School Premises for All Registered Private and Government Schools in Sierra Leone,” is entirely fake and never originated from any government office.
“The Ministry categorically states that no such circular or press release has been issued,” the statement read.
Chief Education Officer Edward Kpakra stressed that while the document is fraudulent, the Ministry is not ignoring the serious issues it claims to address.
Reports of questionable “camping” practices and examination syndicates operating in some schools have been reaching the Ministry, prompting an active internal review aimed at reinforcing quality assurance and safeguarding the integrity of the national education system.
“These matters are currently under review as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts,” the statement noted. “However, the Ministry has not yet issued any official circular or press release on this matter.”
Any future policy decision will be announced only through verified government channels, the Ministry assured.
Officials urged school heads, teachers, parents and the general public to ignore the circulating document completely, describing it as misleading and designed to sow confusion.
They reminded citizens that all genuine MBSSE directives are shared exclusively via official letters to schools, verified Ministry media platforms, and formal press statements from the Communications Directorate.
“School heads, teachers, parents, and the general public are encouraged to verify any education-related directive directly with the Ministry before acting upon it,” the statement added.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining high professional standards and ensuring transparent communication with all stakeholders in the education sector.
The forged circular first surfaced on social media platforms over the weekend, triggering widespread anxiety among private school operators and parents ahead of the new academic term.
