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A coalition of school principals from across Sierra Leone has announced they will not take part in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), raising serious concerns about the operations of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
In a formal letter dated April 25, 2025, the Coalition for Principals’ Solidarity declared that no principal under its banner will participate in any part of the WASSCE process. The group also directed all teachers nationwide to withdraw from WAEC-related duties, including invigilation and supervision.
The letter was addressed to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and copied to several high-level institutions, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) – Sierra Leone, the Inspector General of Police, the Armed Forces, Civil Society Organizations, Parents’ Associations, the Media, and the Office of the Chief Minister.
According to the coalition, WAEC has shown “a lack of transparency, disregard for educational stakeholders, and failure to uphold examination integrity,” leading to the current standoff.
As part of its protest, the coalition announced plans for peaceful demonstrations at WAEC district offices, including those in the Western Region. It also called on parents especially mothers to join the movement in defense of students’ educational futures.
The group has issued a 72-hour ultimatum, demanding that WAEC remove all scannable materials from examination centers and find alternative locations for conducting exams. They made it clear that schools under the coalition will not host WAEC exams under the current conditions.
In a bold move, the principals are also calling on the government to introduce a new international examination body to replace WAEC, saying the current system no longer reflects fairness or professionalism.
WAEC has not yet issued a public response to the coalition’s demands.
Hmmm
This is very serious
Wow
Hmmm!
WAEC is an incompetent body that has disregarded several educational policies and undermining the FQE. It’s taking advantage of being the only international exam body in S/L Unlike Nigeria where there are several educational bodies that conduct External School exams. WAEC has single handedly been changing the rules and conduct of WASSCE exams without consulting the Ministry of Basic and Senior School Education and Principals of various schools.
My question is that who controls or regulate WAEC I’m Sierra Leone? But my advice to the Principals is don’t demonstrate even if it’s peaceful as you have sent your letters out. Wait for the reply or replies
WAEC are acting as if they are indispensable. They have no regards for school, principals, the educational body neither pupils. Imagine they are planning the examination and excluding over thousands of other pupils and major schools out of the race. My younger sister who is attending MGHS is been disenfranchised of her right to take her examinations which is none of her fault..
Why must she suffer for what she didn’t cause??
WAEC should know they are dealing with the future of students, so they must act like mothers to be very much patient with schools but because there is lack of competition that’s why they’re acting in this matter..
I appeal to the Coalition of Principals to please sheath their sword for the sake of the children. WAEC should also listen to the principals and address their concerns in the interest of education in the West African region.
A solution is possible.
WAEC is one of the major factors for our childrens failure
When cowards write, it is very easy to know. Imagine a whole organization with a letter without a contact person. Even the secretary who wrote the letter cannot state his name on the letter for something genuinely they are fighting for.
WAEC nous a montré sa limite