The Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Augustine Foday Ngobie has told education stakeholders that the Commission will continue to pay keen attention to corruption and accountability issues within the education sector.
He made the statement while delivering the keynote address at the National Education Stakeholders Reflection Conference held on Thursday, 4th December 2025, at the Freetown City Hall. The conference was held under the theme: ‘Deepening Reflection on Education Sector Outcomes and Challenges in Sierra Leone to Inform Stakeholders’ Actions’.
Organized by the Network Movement for Youth and Children’s Welfare in collaboration with the Youth Alliance for Sustainable Development and supported by ActionAid/Iris Aid, the conference provided an inclusive platform for stakeholders to critically assess current education outcomes in Sierra Leone, identify systemic challenges, and develop practical recommendations to inform policy reforms and promote collaborative actions aimed at improving learning and accountability in the education sector.
He noted that education is central to the government’s flagship Human Capital Development initiative, which consistently accounts for over 20 percent of the national budget. Given its pivotal role in shaping the nation's future, he said, safeguarding the sector from corruption remains a national priority. “We will not stop, we will not be deterred, and we will not be discouraged, as education is the engine for sustainable national development,” Mr Ngobie assured the audience.
Highlighting the progress made, Mr. Ngobie referenced the introduction of a comprehensive corruption offence - Academic Malpractice (Section 128(3)-under the 2019 amendment of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008. This provision criminalizes all forms of corrupt practices within the education sector. As a result, he disclosed, about 20 individuals across Sierra Leone have been charged to court for various education-related corruption offences, with several convictions secured.
He further noted the efforts of the Public Education and Outreach Department through the ‘Meet the School and University’ campaign, which delivers anti-corruption messages to educational institutions nationwide. The campaign, he noted, aims to “catch them young” by instilling integrity values in pupils and students.
Mr. Ngobie also called for increased prioritization of education funding, enhanced teacher training, greater community engagement, and the leveraging in technology and partnerships to improve access and quality across the sector.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of ActionAid Sierra Leone, Foday Swarray, said that discussions at such conferences must translate into bold and practical actions that address the realities of the education system. He highlighted the need to restore trust and integrity at all levels of the sector. Mr. Swarray reaffirmed Action Aid’s commitment to working with government, civil society, education coalitions, and partners to build a just, equitable, and transformative education system.
