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RETRACTION:
On March 10, 2026, we published a report regarding a directive from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) that purportedly banned “school camping” and mandatory extra classes across Sierra Leone.
This document has been confirmed as FAKE by the MBSSE.
Chief Education Officer Edward Kpakra issued an official statement on March 10, 2026, clarifying that the Ministry did not issue the March 6th circular. While the MBSSE acknowledges public concerns regarding school camping and is currently reviewing the matter, no official ban or policy directive has been enacted at this time.
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has issued an immediate, nationwide ban on all “school camping” within school premises, citing severe professional misconduct and extortion by some educators.
The official directive, issued on March 6, 2026, applies to all registered government and private schools across the country. It serves as a final warning to school proprietors, principals, head teachers, and administrators.
The ban follows a recent nationwide monitoring and school survey conducted by the Ministry, which uncovered practices that officials say are negatively impacting academic development and undermining the integrity of Sierra Leone’s education system.
According to the MBSSE circular, the Ministry received credible reports of several troubling practices:
- Teachers failing to teach effectively during normal school hours.
- Schools organizing illegal “camping classes” within the school premises.
- Educators misleading pupils with false assurances regarding external examinations.
- Students facing harassment or being deliberately failed for refusing to attend these camping classes.
The Ministry condemned these actions as “unethical, unprofessional, and unacceptable.”
To combat these issues, the MBSSE has outlined five strict directives for all schools:
Immediate Ban: All forms of school camping within school premises are strictly prohibited.
No On-Site Organization: No registered school may organize or conduct these classes on their grounds.
Off-Site Requirements: Extra lessons designed to assist weaker pupils may only take place outside the school compound. These must occur in a safe, properly supervised environment with adequate security.
Strictly Voluntary: Any extra classes held outside the school compound must not be compulsory.
End to Harassment: School heads and teachers must immediately cease pressuring or harassing pupils and parents to attend extra classes.
The Ministry warned that it will deploy inspection teams to visit schools without prior notice to ensure strict adherence to the new rules.
Schools found violating the directive face severe consequences, including official investigation, suspension or dismissal of involved staff, withdrawal of government recognition, potential closure of the school, and legal prosecution where necessary.
Great news if governments work towards this .
But, Mr. Minister what about teachers that are not on government pay-roll how are you going to look at their issues? Because teachers are frustrated, majority of teachers applied for 2025-2026 recruitment few of them considered and the rest left with discouragement.
Mr. Minister if this is the way you are going to do things, am afraid majority of teachers are going leave the classroom with no option.
Even myself that did this writing (Saidu Fallah)am amongs those that applied for 2025-2026 teachers recruitment, but they do not consider me, am a true and strong supporter of (SLPP) since 2018,i worked for SLPP as party agent by then the party won the presidential election nothing the party did for me, but yet still i exercised patient.
2023 presidential election i worked as the same position (paty-agent) for SLPP, the party won again, but didn’t considered me again, that means I only have love for the party, but the party has love for me.
Who soever read this message as a true or diedhearted supporter for SLPP that I(SAIDU FALLAH) want urgent teachers approval.
I’m very happy for the ministry of basic and senior education, the immediate banding of these unnecessary harassment in the name of school camping class even the schools classes at the home of these teachers should all be ban.i personal will be very much happy if the ministry implement these law.