The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the 2025 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results, with more than 128,000 pupils meeting the national pass mark. This year’s outcome not only reflects an improvement in participation but also marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s basic education sector.
The results were officially presented to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) on 17th July, nearly a month earlier than in 2024 when results were released on 12th August. The early release, according to the ministry, will allow for faster school placements and more efficient academic planning ahead of the new school year.
A total of 171,112 pupils entered for the 2025 NPSE, including 88,494 girls and 82,618 boys — an increase of over 6,000 entries from the previous year. However, 5,771 candidates were absent, a concerning figure that the ministry says is under serious investigation.
Of the 165,341 candidates who sat at least one paper, 128,766 (66,371 girls and 62,395 boys) scored above the national cutoff score of 230, producing an overall pass rate of 78.2%. While boys had a slightly higher pass percentage (78.5%) than girls (77.9%), more girls both sat and passed the exam, a pattern that continues to reflect gender parity efforts in primary education.
The highest score of 346 this year was achieved by Mansaray Kadijah Yawa Joe, a female student from Dele Nursery & Preparatory School in Wellington. Her performance has earned national recognition, with Minister Conrad Sackey offering public congratulations and calling her an inspiration to her peers.
Among schools, International College of Makeni Primary School led the rankings with a 100% pass rate and an average aggregate score of 332.39. Other notable schools include Romans International Academy, Modern Academy School of Excellence, Therenisa Memorial Primary School in Bo, and Shalom Ville Schools.
In a further sign of improvement, 4,483 pupils 2,424 girls and 2,059 boys scored 300 or above, surpassing last year’s number in this top category. Girls made up the majority in the highest performing group, reinforcing the trend of female academic excellence in recent NPSE editions.
Minister Sackey commended the ongoing improvements as a result of deliberate investments in early grade learning, while reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusive and quality education across the country.
