By Amb. Musa Aiahson Koroma
The release of this year’s National Primary School Examination results has left many families in Sierra Leone unsettled. While the government celebrated a 78.2 percent pass rate, almost two thousand pupils had their results withheld. For parents and children, this is not just a statistic, it is a painful reality that raises questions about fairness, responsibility, and the true state of education in the country.
Parents say their children studied hard, yet now face uncertainty because schools failed to submit continuous assessment records or because of suspected malpractice. They ask why children should suffer for mistakes made by adults. The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education explained that most of the withheld results were linked to missing assessment cards, while only a small number involved cheating. But this explanation has not calmed the frustration. Families argue that schools should never be allowed to operate without meeting basic requirements.
This situation also exposes contradictions in the government’s Free Quality Education Agenda. While the policy promises that every child can access schooling without financial burden, parents continue to pay for uniforms, books, extra classes, and extra charges. When results are withheld, families feel doubly cheated: they carry the cost of education but cannot guarantee their children’s future because of malpractice or administrative negligence. So, I am starting to wonder, whether “free” education is truly free if parents must still shoulder so many hidden expenses. The reality I would say, is no secret again.
The issue of malpractice itself, though officially small in number, continues to damage trust. Stories of leaked papers, teachers helping pupils during exams, and bribery are common. Principals have been suspended before, yet the problem continues. Citizens question whether punishment is real or just temporary. If malpractice keeps returning, what does that say about the seriousness of enforcement?
Technology has been presented as the new solution. Officials promise digital systems that can scan thousands of exam scripts to detect duplication and suspicious patterns. But parents remain doubtful. Machines may catch cheats, they say, but they cannot fix corruption or negligence. For families, the real issue is protecting honest pupils who play by the rules. Critics also point out that while government invests in digital platforms, many schools still lack basic facilities like chairs, textbooks, and electricity. They ask whether priorities are misplaced.
The human cost is clear. Behind every withheld result is a child whose dream of entering a Grade A school may be slipping away. Parents describe children crying when they heard their results were set aside. Teachers who worked hard to prepare pupils are lumped together with those accused of malpractice. The damage is not only academic, it is emotional and lasting.
Civil society groups have demanded transparency. They want government to publish detailed reports on malpractice cases, naming schools and individuals involved. They argue that secrecy only protects offenders and fuels suspicion. Without openness, citizens cannot trust that justice is being done.
The wider impact stretches beyond classrooms. Employers question the quality of graduates. Universities struggle to trust incoming students’ qualifications. International partners doubt whether funds invested in education are being used effectively. The credibility of Sierra Leone’s education system is at stake, and every withheld result chips away at public trust.
Government promises reform. A new White Paper is being drafted to replace the outdated 1984 framework, with stronger penalties for malpractice. Civic education campaigns are planned to raise awareness. Officials stress that malpractice is not driven by pupils alone but involves parents, teachers, and administrators. Yet citizens remain doubtful. Promises have been made before, and malpractice continues.
This crisis forces hard questions. Why are schools still failing to meet basic requirements? Why do principals return after suspension with little change in practice? Why is enforcement inconsistent? Why should children suffer for failures that belong to adults? And most importantly, how does the government reconcile its promise of Free Quality Education with the reality of parents paying fees and children facing withheld results?
The answers point to a system where negligence is tolerated, corruption is ignored, and accountability is weak. Children’s futures are being sacrificed to protect a broken system.
The release of the NPSE results should have been a moment of celebration. Instead, it has become another reminder of the fragility of Sierra Leone’s education system. Pupils wait anxiously, parents demand answers, and citizens wonder whether the promises of reform will ever translate into reality.
The government’s renewed commitment is welcome, but words alone will not restore trust. Citizens want action. They want transparency, accountability, and fairness. They want a system where children are assessed honestly and qualifications reflect genuine knowledge. Until then, malpractice will continue to cast its shadow over Sierra Leone’s classrooms.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 31st August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
