1 Comment 
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has suspended twelve secondary school principals for failing to submit Continuous Assessment Scores (CAS) for their students who sat the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
MBSSE Communication Specialist, Augustine Bamie Anthony, made the announcement during the Government’s weekly press briefing held on October 21, 2025, at the Ministry of Information Conference Centre in Freetown.
Anthony expressed strong dissatisfaction over what he described as a recurring act of negligence that continues to undermine students’ performance, particularly in English Language. He recalled that six principals were suspended in 2024 for similar failure to submit CAS data to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
According to Anthony, the suspension of the twelve principals will last for one year and takes effect from November 1, 2025. During that period, he said, they will not be receiving salaries as the ministry enforces accountability measures across the education sector.
“When principals neglect core responsibilities, the learners become victims,” he stated, warning that the ministry will no longer tolerate actions that jeopardize students’ future.
Anthony provided an update on the recently published WASSCE results, revealing a sharp decline in English Language performance, with only 11 percent of candidates meeting the required standard.
A total of 148,000 CAS entries were reportedly submitted to WAEC, but only 97,817 complete results were returned to the ministry. He noted that mechanisms will be introduced to address the persistent English Language failure.
Anthony provided an update on the recently published WASSCE results, revealing a sharp decline in English Language performance, with only 11 percent of candidates meeting the required standard.
A total of 148,000 CAS entries were reportedly submitted to WAEC, but only 97,817 complete results were returned to the ministry. He noted that mechanisms will be introduced to address the persistent English Language failure.
He further disclosed that 13,213 results were withheld due to alleged malpractices and non-payment of fees by some private schools. Additionally, 35,020 candidates were marked absent during the examinations.
Mathematics performance appeared more promising as 47 percent of candidates obtained credits in the subject. Overall, 52 percent of the published results showed candidates achieving at least five credits.
Anthony emphasized that WAEC remains a semi-autonomous regional body, which limits direct government interference in its operations. However, he confirmed that a committee has been set up to investigate the significant number of withheld results.
He concluded by noting that the WAEC Act of 1984 may soon be reviewed to enhance government oversight, while School Quality Assurance Officers will intensify monitoring to ensure compliance in schools.
The ministry also plans to host a national stakeholders’ engagement aimed at improving English Language performance and reducing exam malpractice in future assessments.
So what’s the next step for some of us whose results were witheld? Because I have tried to reach out to the head of my school to see whether I will be able to write to the exam’s next year and he declined my request. I’m really pissed off 😡.