“Political Pass Rates”: APC’s Abubakarr Karim Kamara Challenges Govt’s Education Success Claims

Abubakarr Karim Kamara Esq., a member of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), has challenged the government’s claims of success in the education sector, describing the reported rise in school pass rates as “political pass rates.”

Speaking during an interview on Liberty Online TV alongside MYK Berewa, Head of Communications at State House, Kamara argued that the administration of President Julius Maada Bio has been overstating its achievements in service delivery. He maintained that the increase in pass rates announced by the government does not accurately reflect the individual performance of students.

Kamara’s remarks were made in response to President Bio’s State Opening address, which highlighted gains in education, including higher examination success rates under the Free Quality Education programme.

MYK Berewa, representing the government, defended the administration’s record during the same programme, emphasizing that the education reforms are improving access, quality, and outcomes across the country.

The contrasting views underscore an ongoing debate between the government and the opposition over how to measure progress in the education sector.