The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Northern Region, has called on school administrators in Bombali District to adopt a firm and uncompromising stance against examination malpractice as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) commences. The call was made during a targeted engagement with members of the Conference of Principals and officials of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) on the 21st April 2026, ahead of the conduct of the examinations at the Sylvanus Memorial Secondary School in Makeni.
Speaking at the meeting, the ACC Regional Director, Fatu Florence Kamara, described examination malpractice as a major contributor to the declining standards in the education sector. She emphasized that professionalism and integrity must guide all officials involved in the conduct of public examinations.
“At this defining moment in our education system, school administrators must draw a clear line between integrity and corruption,” she stated, warning that any involvement in malpractice will be met with firm action from the Commission. She further cautioned that the ACC is fully prepared to monitor the examination process, adding that anyone found culpable will face the full force of the law.
The Deputy Director of Education in Bombali District, Lahai Feika, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring credible and malpractice-free examinations. He highlighted measures such as strengthened supervision, improved coordination, and the deployment of trained personnel across examination centres.
Also speaking, Senior Public Education Officer, Mohamed Thullah, provided an overview of key corruption offences, including offering, soliciting, and accepting an advantage; misappropriation of public and donor funds; examination malpractice; and corrupting a public officer, with emphasis on issues prevalent within schools.
In a similar vein, the Deputy Director of the Teaching Service Commission in the district, Lansan Rogers, urged school authorities, teachers, and administrators to uphold ethical standards and resist all forms of malpractice.
Chairman of the Conference of Principals, Bombali District, Numukeh Koroma, reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, noting that school leaders must take the lead in safeguarding the integrity of public examinations.
