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Corruption Watch Sierra Leone has issued a strong warning to officials of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and school authorities across Sierra Leone, urging them to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability during the ongoing public examinations.
The warning was announced following a management meeting held by the organization, where the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ibrahim Sorie Bah, together with the management of Corruption Watch Sierra Leone, expressed concerns over examination malpractice and misconduct during public exams.
According to the organization, it has spent more than four years monitoring public examinations conducted by WAEC in Sierra Leone and intends to continue its nationwide monitoring operations during this year’s exams.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, the National Coordinator of Corruption Watch Sierra Leone disclosed that a new surveillance system involving CCTV cameras has been introduced in examination centres across the country to strengthen monitoring efforts.
The Coordinator stated that the cameras “cannot be easily seen,” but warned that they could capture acts of malpractice within examination halls.
He urged school principals and examination officials to strictly follow established examination procedures in order to prevent malpractice and protect the credibility of the education system.
He further advised individuals who are not officially assigned to examination centres to stay away from the premises during the examination period.
The National Coordinator, identified in the statement as Mr. Alhaji, described the organization’s approach as a “watchdog” monitoring system, explaining that Corruption Watch Sierra Leone would closely observe activities involving both WAEC officials and school authorities at all levels.
According to the statement, any individual found with a mobile phone inside an examination hall would be required to complete an examination malpractice form, which could subsequently trigger an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The organization also warned WAEC officials responsible for conducting public examinations to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Concluding his statement, the National Coordinator said Corruption Watch Sierra Leone would continue to work closely with the Anti-Corruption Commission through its regional offices across Sierra Leone to receive guidance and technical support in carrying out its monitoring activities.
The statement comes amid continued public concern over examination malpractice in Sierra Leone, with education stakeholders increasingly calling for stricter monitoring measures to preserve the credibility of public examinations in the country.
