In a recent development, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has taken decisive action against alleged corruption within the education sector.
Six grade A Government-assisted secondary school principals, including the esteemed Mr. Frederic R. Wise of Saint Edward’s Secondary School, have been suspended for their purported involvement in corrupt practices.
The Six principals were invited by the Anti-Corruption Commission for investigations based on admission improprieties such as; breaching agreed intake numbers, admitting pupils above the agreed cut-off marks/aggregates under declaration of available classroom spaces etc, during the 2023 BECE admission.
After the investigations, the ACC recommended, among others, that administrative measures be taken against them.
Based on the ACC recommendation, they have been suspended by the Teaching Service Commission ( TSC ) for two months from 15th April to 15th June 2024.
Retired principals of the respective schools have been appointed as caretakers to cover the suspension period.
The schools are as follows:
1. Annie Walsh Memorial SSS Freetown
2. Saint Edwards SSS Freetown
3. Saint Joseph’s SSS Freetown
4. Prince of Wales SSS Freetown
5. Methodist Girls High School SSS Freetown
6. Albert Academy SSS Freetown.
The catalyst for this crackdown emerged from a viral video featuring Esther Collier, a student at Annie Walsh Memorial School. In the video, Esther courageously exposed the alleged corruption syndicate operating within AWMS. She recounted her experience of being denied enrollment despite achieving a score close to the cut-off line for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Esther claimed that preferential treatment was given to students who paid undisclosed sums of money, regardless of their academic performance.
The suspension of these principals underscores the commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring fairness and meritocracy within Sierra Leone’s education system. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
A very big thank you to Esther Collier for her courageous submission. You deserve a world-class commendation. Hitherto the imperturbable character of the ACC’s leadership in quickly handling such matters and to further recommend stricter administrative measures be taken against the corrupt principals, I would rather the TSC show great signs of meaningful actions than levying a two weeks suspension for such a heinous crime. Please leave out Esther in this matter altogether – she just vented her frustration.
Two weeks suspension for the crime of fraudulently converting helpless people’s hard-earned fortune is just a slap on the wrist.