By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Freetown, Sierra Leone – September 11, 2024 – The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Conrad Sackey, announced that the government has covered the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for students who were unable to sit for this year’s exam due to late submission of entries by school heads.
Minister Sackey made the announcement during the ongoing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing on the 2021-2022 Auditor General’s Report, held at the New Administrative Building, Parliament in Freetown.
He assured that the government has successfully paid the fees for these students and confirmed that they will be able to sit for the next WASSCE. This move aims to rectify the inconvenience caused by administrative delays.
Deputy Opposition Leader, Hon. Aaron Koroma, praised the government’s intervention, highlighting the financial burden on parents who would otherwise struggle to afford the examination fees for their children. “This is a step in the right direction, and I commend the Minister for this commendable action,” said Hon. Koroma.
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, also expressed gratitude to the Ministry for addressing the issue. However, he cautioned that in future, all relevant documents should be submitted directly to the auditors for review, rather than to the PAC.
The government’s decision to cover the fees underscores its commitment to ensuring that educational opportunities are not denied due to administrative oversights.
