By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliamentary Committee on Basic and Senior Secondary Education has expressed serious concerns over the recent relocation of examination centres by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), citing widespread complaints from parents, candidates, and communities across Sierra Leone.
The concerns were raised during an engagement between Members of Parliament and WAEC officials at Parliament, where lawmakers questioned the examination body over the timing, communication process, and impact of the centre relocations on candidates.
Chairing the meeting, the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Rebecca Kamara, said Parliament had received numerous complaints from constituencies nationwide, particularly regarding the late notification of centre changes and the hardship caused to families.
According to the Committee, several schools and communities were informed of the relocations only days before the commencement of examinations, leaving parents and candidates struggling to make last-minute arrangements.
Members of Parliament criticized what they described as inadequate communication by WAEC and stressed the need for clear timelines and stronger stakeholder engagement in future decisions.
Lawmakers also highlighted the financial burden placed on families, noting that many parents cannot afford transportation, accommodation, and feeding expenses for children required to sit examinations in distant centres.
Some Members disclosed that certain communities were considering withdrawing candidates from the examinations because of the difficulties involved.
The Committee further observed that the sudden relocation of centres has created anxiety and psychological stress among candidates, which could negatively affect their academic performance.
During the discussions, MPs questioned WAEC on the criteria used to allocate and relocate examination centres, including the reasons some long-established centres were removed without prior notice.
Concerns were also raised over schools that had reportedly served as examination centres for more than two decades but were suddenly replaced.
Responding to the concerns, the Head of WAEC Sierra Leone, Matilda Jusu, reportedly attributed some of the relocations to issues such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of laboratories, insufficient staffing, and cases of candidate duplication. However, Members argued that such concerns should have been addressed well before the examination period.
Several constituency-specific concerns were presented during the meeting, including cases where candidates are expected to travel between 14 and 60 miles to reach their assigned centres, sometimes crossing difficult terrains and waterways.
Members also complained about overcrowding in receiving centres and the lack of consultation with school authorities before the decisions were implemented.
Following deliberations, the Committee observed that the timing of the relocation decisions had caused significant disruption and exposed a disconnect between WAEC’s operational decisions and the realities faced by rural communities.
The Committee further warned that the situation could undermine the Government’s Free Quality Education Programme if not properly addressed.
As part of its resolutions, the Committee urged WAEC to immediately review affected examination centres, especially those facing severe logistical challenges, and consider remedial measures.
The Committee also called on WAEC to improve its communication strategy, strengthen collaboration with Parliament and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, and provide clear policy guidelines on centre allocation and relocation procedures.
Additionally, Members recommended that government institutions work closely with WAEC to address logistical and financial challenges affecting the conduct of public examinations in the country.
In his closing remarks, the Chairperson thanked WAEC officials and Members of Parliament for their contributions and encouraged the examination body to take the concerns seriously to ensure the smooth conduct of examinations nationwide.