Government Reveals 13 Categories of Examination Malpractice in 2026 WASSCE
Deborah Sorie Social media accounts for 23,980 cases, representing 50.46 per cent of suspected examination malpractice recorded in Sierra Leone’s 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), according to figures released by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE).
The ministry’s summary of 13 categories of examination malpractice recorded a total of 47,525 cases, with social media-related offences accounting for the largest share.
Collusion was the second most frequently recorded category, with 8,116 cases, representing 17.08 per cent of the total. The use of mobile phones accounted for 6,005 cases, or 12.64 per cent.
The figures also recorded 3,319 cases involving written materials, representing 6.98 per cent, while 3,028 cases related to candidates who were absent but had scripts submitted, accounting for 6.37 per cent.
Irregular activity accounted for 1,967 cases, or 4.14 per cent, while multiple handwriting was recorded in 276 cases, representing 0.58 per cent. A further 357 cases of assault were listed, accounting for 0.75 per cent.
Other categories included two answer booklets, with 323 cases (0.68 per cent); the same handwriting, with 126 cases (0.27 per cent); impersonation, with 15 cases (0.03 per cent); unqualified candidates, with seven cases (0.01 per cent); and folded answer booklets, with six cases (0.01 per cent).
The table also lists six cases under a category labelled “Folded Ion,” accounting for 0.01 per cent, although the precise meaning of the term is unclear in the published summary.
The figures come amid the release of the 2026 WASSCE results, during which the ministry announced that tens of thousands of candidates had their results withheld over suspected examination malpractice.
The ministry has said that suspected cases are subject to investigation and that results may be released following the outcome of the relevant examination procedures.
The breakdown highlights the prominence of social media-related cases among the 13 categories recorded in the ministry’s summary. However, the published table does not provide further details on the individual cases or the specific platforms involved.