By Alusine Sesay
The Government of Sierra Leone has announced plans to introduce legislation that will make examination malpractice a criminal offence, as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard the integrity of the country’s education system.
Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, issued a strong message on Saturday via his official Facebook page, declaring that cheating in public examinations amounts to corruption and will soon carry legal consequences.
“Examination fraud is corruption. Nothing more, nothing less,” Sackey wrote. “The Government of Sierra Leone is developing legislation to criminalize examination malpractice. Pupils, invigilators, parents, and any accomplices will face prosecution if caught. The full extent of the law will be enforced against them.”
He urged pupils to “pass with honour” and called on parents and stakeholders to uphold integrity, stressing that the credibility of Sierra Leone’s certificates and the trust of universities and employers worldwide were at stake.
The announcement follows recent remarks by President Julius Maada Bio, who accused the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) of contributing to malpractice. President Bio said parents, teachers, and even WAEC were complicit in helping students cheat.
“WAEC is helping our children to cheat us,” the President stated. “Parents are helping their children to cheat, teachers are helping their students to cheat, and even WAEC is helping students to cheat us.”
He warned that the practice was undermining educational standards and jeopardizing the country’s future workforce.
Persistent Challenge
Examination malpractice has long plagued Sierra Leone’s education system. WAEC has repeatedly withheld or cancelled results of thousands of candidates accused of collusion, impersonation, or possession of unauthorised materials. In recent years, the rise of social media and encrypted messaging platforms has worsened the problem, with leaked questions and answer schemes circulating online during exams.
Despite significant government investment in education through the Free Quality School Education programme, concerns about learning outcomes and academic credibility remain.
Education experts caution that widespread cheating erodes confidence in qualifications and leaves students ill-prepared for higher education and employment. The proposed legislation, once enacted, is expected to serve as a deterrent by holding not only pupils but also parents, teachers, and examination officials accountable.
The government has called on all stakeholders to work together to restore honesty and merit in the education system, emphasizing that Sierra Leone’s future depends on building a foundation of integrity.