The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has issued a public disclaimer declaring that a widely circulated document banning “school camping” in Sierra Leone is entirely fake.

The fraudulent circular, dated March 6, 2026, and titled “Banning of All School Camping Within School Premises for All Registered Private and Government Schools in Sierra Leone,” caused widespread confusion among educators, parents, and students over the past few days.

Chief Education Officer Edward Kpakra officially debunked the document on March 10, confirming it did not originate from the Ministry and is completely unauthorized.

While the Ministry categorically denied issuing the immediate ban, it acknowledged the underlying issues the fake document highlighted.

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The MBSSE clarified that it is fully aware of growing public concerns regarding the practice of “camping” and the activities of examination-related syndicates within some schools.

These matters are currently under active review as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen quality assurance.

The Ministry is actively assessing professional standards and the overall integrity of the education system.

Any formal regulatory decisions or policy directives regarding school camping will only be announced after these consultations and assessments are concluded.

The Ministry strongly advised the public to disregard the misleading document in its entirety, noting that the circulation of unofficial directives creates unnecessary panic and undermines public trust in government communications.

To prevent future confusion, the MBSSE emphasized that all genuine policy directives and circulars are exclusively distributed through verified channels, including:

  • Direct, official communications from the Ministry to school authorities.
  • Verified government and Ministry media platforms.
  • Formal press statements issued by the Ministry’s Communications Directorate.

School heads, teachers, and parents are heavily encouraged to independently verify any education-related directives directly with the Ministry before taking action.