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The Government is preparing a new legislative framework to strengthen the fight against examination malpractice, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Conrad Sackey has disclosed.
Speaking at a Special Civic Town Hall Event at the Miatta Civic Conference Centre in Freetown on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Sackey said the Ministry is working on a new WAEC Bill to replace the existing legislation, which dates back to 1984.
He said the new legislation would provide a stronger legal framework for addressing and criminalising some of the practices associated with examination malpractice.
The Minister’s announcement comes amid renewed public discussion over the withholding of 1,927 NPSE results following the release of the 2026 examination results.
However, Sackey stressed that examination malpractice cannot be addressed by targeting pupils alone.
He said the problem involves both demand and supply, with individuals sometimes willing to pay others to facilitate malpractice.
According to the Minister, some cases also involve teachers or other individuals within schools assisting pupils to cheat.
He therefore called for a broader approach that addresses everyone involved in facilitating examination malpractice.
Sackey said the Ministry also plans to launch a civic education campaign to raise awareness about the consequences of examination malpractice and encourage stakeholders to collectively combat the practice.
He said parents, teachers, school authorities, pupils and other stakeholders all have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the examination system.
The Minister maintained that tackling malpractice requires more than disciplinary measures, stressing the need for a coordinated national effort to change attitudes and practices surrounding examinations.
