Parliament has summoned Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, to explain the widespread failure in English Language and the withholding of more than 47,000 candidates’ results in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Parliamentary Committee on Education is expected to question the minister and officials of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday, 5 November, amid growing public concern over the examination results.
Committee chairperson, Rebecca Yei Kamara, has urged MPs to exercise patience and allow the minister to respond to the concerns when he appears before the committee.
The summons follows mounting criticism of the examination outcome, particularly the performance in English Language and WAEC’s decision to withhold tens of thousands of results over suspected examination malpractice.
According to figures previously announced by the education authorities, 47,454 candidates had their results withheld, raising questions about the scale of suspected malpractice, the criteria used to withhold results and the implications for affected students awaiting their academic progression.
The controversy has also renewed debate about the state of English Language teaching and learning in Sierra Leone. Reports that only about 9 per cent of candidates obtained a credit pass in English have prompted questions about the quality of teaching, curriculum delivery, students’ preparedness and the wider challenges facing the country’s education system.
The withholding of results has attracted further criticism from lawmakers. Hon. Abdul Kargbo has demanded that WAEC release the withheld results, arguing that students should not be left in uncertainty over allegations of examination malpractice.
His demand adds to calls for greater transparency from the examinations body, including an explanation of the grounds on which results were withheld and the process through which affected candidates can have their cases reviewed.
While examination malpractice remains a serious concern, the debate has increasingly focused on the need to distinguish between candidates against whom there is credible evidence of wrongdoing and those whose results may have been withheld pending investigations.
For thousands of students, the delay could affect admission to universities and other tertiary institutions, as well as scholarship opportunities and other educational plans.
The appearance of Minister Sackey and WAEC officials before Parliament is expected to provide an opportunity for lawmakers to seek clarification on the withheld results, the unprecedented concerns surrounding English Language performance and what measures are being considered to address the situation.
The central question is whether the authorities can ensure accountability in the examination system without unfairly penalising candidates whose results remain unresolved.
