By: Aminata Sesay
In a decisive move to combat examination malpractice, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has introduced tighter admission guidelines for students preparing for WAEC-administered national examinations, including the NPSE, BECE, and WASSCE.
The new directives are aimed at eliminating the practice of registering students without valid academic records or genuine school affiliation a trend that has contributed to widespread fraudulent exam practices.
Effective immediately, school heads are prohibited from enrolling students into WAEC examination classes unless those students meet specific eligibility criteria. These include: Verified regular attendance, a complete record of continuous assessment results
This policy is intended to block last-minute registrations of “external candidates” who have not been part of the formal school system.
The Ministry has also warned parents and guardians against attempting to register underage or unqualified students for national exams. Offending cases include:
Class 4 pupils registered for NPSE
JSS1 or JSS2 students entered for BECE
SSS1 or SSS2 students pushed into WASSCE
Consequences for such actions may include: Voided examination results, suspension of the school from future exam registrations, investigation and possible prosecution by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Early Planning for Class Intakes Now Mandatory: To ensure smooth and transparent admissions, the MBSSE is directing schools to start preparing for new class intakes within two weeks of the academic year’s end. This preparation includes: Auditing the number of repeaters, capping class sizes, setting clear enrollment limits.
These steps aim to preserve academic integrity, ensure proper resource allocation, and avoid overcrowding in schools. Repetition Rate Must Stay Below 2.5%.
In a related directive, the Ministry has expressed concern over rising repetition rates in schools. All institutions are now expected to keep repetition rates below 2.5%, as part of efforts to: Improve learning outcomes, ensure fair distribution of teaching resources, enhance classroom efficiency, zero Tolerance for Admission Fraud.
Through this comprehensive reform, the MBSSE is making it clear that admission fraud and examination malpractice will no longer be tolerated. The Ministry is calling on school authorities, parents, and communities to work together to uphold the values of discipline, transparency, and fairness in the education system.
These reforms reflect the government’s broader commitment to strengthening education quality and protecting the integrity of national assessments.