June 8, 2021
By Aruna Kamara in Bo
Educational Stakeholders in Bo District have slammed a ban on school camping ahead of the 2021 Basic Educational Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West Africa Examination Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE).
Speaking to school authorities in a meeting held at the M & J Swarray Hall in Bo last week, the Chairman of the Bo District Council, Joseph Munda Bindi started off by thanking school authorities including the Ministry of education for a successful conduct of the 2021 National Primary School examination, which according to him, there was no major concern.
He however spoke about concerns from the public about school camping for the 2021 WASSCE and BECE exams, especially the one being conducted at night, describing it as unacceptable and should not be encouraged by school authorities.
Mr. Bindi noted that camping children has no positive learning outcome and encouraged the parents to discourage their children or wards from attending camps that has the potential of making them vulnerable to abuse.
He encouraged the pupils to study at home and also ensure they attend school regularly so that they will pass with flying colors in their public exams.
The Deputy Director of Education in Bo District, Joseph M.B Sesay vehemently condemned the idea of camping pupils for exams, adding that action will be taken against school authorities that will condone camps in their school.
He noted that it is an offence as it is a criminal act and anyone caught in camping pupils for public exams will be dealt with according to the law.
Mr. Sesay however entreated the heads of school to be robust in ensuring that they thoroughly monitor their teachers in order not to tolerate camping for examination purpose.