AYV News, June 3, 2026
Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has expressed concern over the growing challenge of examination malpractice in Sierra Leone, stating that parents, school authorities, and even examination administrators all have a role to play in addressing the issue.
Speaking on the state of the education sector, President Bio noted that the culture of cheating in public examinations has become a serious concern, with various stakeholders contributing, directly or indirectly, to the problem.
The President highlighted reports that some parents are paying substantial amounts of money for so-called “camp” classes organised ahead of public examinations, a practice that has come under scrutiny amid concerns about unfair academic advantages and examination irregularities.
He stressed the need for a collective effort to restore integrity and credibility to the country’s education system, emphasising that examination success should be based on merit, hard work, and quality teaching rather than malpractice.
Meanwhile, an education official identified the high number of off-payroll teachers within schools as one of the underlying factors contributing to challenges in the sector. According to the official, many of these teachers depend on alternative sources of income, creating conditions that may encourage practices inconsistent with educational standards.
The remarks have reignited discussions on the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms, improved teacher welfare, greater parental responsibility, and enhanced oversight of examination processes by the West African Examinations Council.
Education stakeholders continue to call for reforms aimed at safeguarding the credibility of public examinations and ensuring that academic achievement reflects genuine learning and competence.
