The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in Sierra Leone has voiced its concern regarding the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) decision to withhold the results of over 25,000 students who sat for the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

This unexpected action has caused significant anxiety among students and their families, leaving them uncertain about their academic futures.

In response, the MBSSE has announced that a special meeting of the Sierra Leone Examination Committee is scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2024. This meeting was chaired by Chief Education Officer Professor Yatta Kanu, with the primary objective of thoroughly reviewing each case of withheld results. The Ministry stressed the importance of transparency and fairness throughout the examination process, affirming its commitment to resolving this issue in a way that ensures no student is unjustly impacted by administrative complications.

The Ministry also acknowledged the adverse effects that delayed results can have on students’ academic plans, urging all affected candidates, as well as their parents and school authorities, to remain patient while the review process is conducted. The Ministry underscored its dedication to minimizing any disruption to students’ educational pathways.

Updates from the examination committee’s deliberations will be communicated to the public as soon as they become available, with the Ministry aiming to resolve this issue swiftly. The MBSSE’s proactive stance demonstrates its commitment to supporting students and ensuring a fair examination process, with the ultimate goal of alleviating the concerns of thousands of affected students and their families.