By: Problyn J. Alpha
Honourable Saa Emerson Lamina, Deputy Majority Leader of Government Business in the Sierra Leone Parliament, has lauded President Julius Maada Bio as a “phenomenal leader” for allocating 22% of the national budget to education. Honourable Lamina made this statement during the official launch of the 2025 Free Quality “SAYINADEE” WASSCE classes, held at the Koidu Girls Secondary School compound in Koidu City, Kono District.
The Honourable Member of Parliament explained that the 22% allocation covers the cost of external examinations in the country, including NPSE, BECE, and WASSCE fees. He expressed his gratitude to parents and pupils from both within and outside the district for attending the launch of this year’s Free Quality “SAYINADEE” WASSCE classes, which carry the theme “Preparing Imagined Leaders.”
Honourable Lamina emphasized that the responsibility of mentoring children academically rests on the shoulders of everyone, as they represent the future leaders of the country. He stressed that future leaders can only be prepared by following the “three Ds”: Discipline, Diligence, and Dignity key principles for achieving academic excellence.
As a sponsor of the WASSCE classes, Honourable Lamina urged the pupils to be serious and study hard, stressing that this year marks the last WASSCE under the current system. He warned that anyone failing the examination would have to start over from Senior Secondary School (SSS) One. Reflecting on his own experience in 1998, when he sat for the last O-Level exams, he shared that studying hard helped him achieve success, and he encouraged the students to adopt the same approach.
He further noted that academic dignity leads to lucrative job opportunities after university, helping individuals avoid the trap of incarceration. He also thanked the teachers for providing their services on a pro bono basis and urged everyone to show respect for their valuable contributions to the district and the nation.
Wishing the pupils fruitful classes and success in their forthcoming exams, Honourable Lamina shared the inspiring story of Daniel Webster, a perpetual school failure who became an academic giant and author of the renowned Webster’s Dictionary, through encouragement from a neighbor. He emphasized that with determination and willingness, nothing is impossible.
Prince Ngebeh, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MBSSE) in Kono District, expressed gratitude to Honourable Lamina for his “goodwill gesture.” Ngebeh noted that Lamina’s support for the classes is exceptional, as he not only sponsors the initiative every year but also serves as a teacher. He apologized for being unable to attend the launch for the past two years due to his busy schedule but provided updates on recent developments in the education sector.
Ngebeh highlighted that there would be no provisions for repeaters, as candidates are only allowed one attempt at WASSCE; those who fail can attempt the private WASSCE. He also explained that continuous assessment now accounts for 30% of the final grade, while WASSCE constitutes 70%. Ngebeh encouraged the pupils to study hard and advised them to adhere to the zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractices, emphasizing that parents and guardians must closely monitor their children to avoid embarrassment due to cheating.
He also informed the students that the new curriculum will be implemented for those taking WASSCE next year, and any student who fails will need to repeat SSS One to catch up with the new system.
Other stakeholders present at the event echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of education and responsible conduct during exams.