By Josephine Sesay

The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Hon. Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, has called for stronger measures to protect the quality, credibility and integrity of Sierra Leone’s education system.

The call was made during a Special Edition Civic Town Hall held at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, organised by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah. The event brought together stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting the country’s education sector.

Speaking as the keynote speaker, Minister Wurie addressed the topic: “How Do We Address the Threats to Quality Education in Sierra Leone?”

The discussion focused on major challenges including examination malpractice, institutional accountability, the role of technology in education, and the verification of academic qualifications.

Minister Wurie stressed the importance of strengthening internal controls and accountability mechanisms within institutions of higher learning to maintain academic standards and restore public confidence in the education system.

She described examination malpractice as a major threat to educational development, warning that allowing academic dishonesty to continue could negatively affect students’ future careers and professional responsibilities.

According to the Minister, academic institutions must take firm action to discourage cheating and promote a culture of honesty, discipline and excellence among students.

She further encouraged the adoption of digital solutions in the examination process, including electronic testing platforms, randomised question systems and Artificial Intelligence-supported marking mechanisms. She noted that these innovations, combined with proper quality assurance measures by lecturers and academic administrators, could improve transparency and reduce malpractice.

The Minister also highlighted concerns over the increasing challenge of fake degrees and fraudulent academic certificates. She called for stronger verification systems to ensure that only authentic qualifications are recognised by employers and institutions.

Dr. Wurie emphasised that maintaining quality education is not the responsibility of government alone but requires commitment from students, lecturers, institutions, parents and other stakeholders.

She warned that Sierra Leone cannot afford to compromise academic standards, noting that a credible education system is essential for national development and the preparation of skilled professionals.

The Minister concluded by urging continued collaboration and strategic reforms aimed at making Sierra Leone’s education sector more transparent, accountable and responsive to modern challenges.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 31st August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)