The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, has announced upcoming legislation designed to criminalise examination malpractice across Sierra Leone.

The announcement, delivered as a direct statement to pupils, parents, and academic stakeholders, signals a zero-tolerance approach to what the minister termed “examination fraud”.

Minister Sackey stressed that academic dishonesty undermines the hard work of honest students and devalues the national qualifications that young Sierra Leoneans rely on for their futures.

“When you cheat, you rob yourself of the honest measure of your own ability,” Minister Sackey warned. “You rob Sierra Leone of the credible professionals and principled leaders. You rob every pupil who studied through the night of the place they earned.”

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“The Minister heavily echoed the stance of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, quoting the President’s firm view on academic integrity: “Real success does not need leakage.”

The proposed legislation intends to cast a wide net to catch and deter bad actors in the academic ecosystem. Under the new laws, prosecution will not just target the students themselves.

Minister Sackey emphasized that the stakes go far beyond individual test scores. The broader objective is safeguarding the international credibility of Sierra Leonean certificates, which dictates how global universities and employers view the country’s youth.

“We cannot build this nation on a foundation of fraud,” the Minister declared, urging the public to embrace the path of integrity before the full weight of the law takes effect. “Pass with honour. Build Salone with integrity.”