The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the North-West Region on Monday 13th November 2023 engaged heads of Primary and Secondary Schools on illegal charges and extortion at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Conference Hall in Port Loko City. 

Addressing school administrators, the Regional Manager Madam Fatu Florence Kamara said illegal charges and extortion in schools erode the foundation of quality education, reduce access and disproportionately affect the poor thereby rendering disadvantaged children to be reliant on substandard education where learning is minimal. 

Commenting on the position of the Commission, Manager Kamara pointed out the Commission's engagement through the Deputy Commissioner Augustine Foday Ngobie with the Principals of Secondary Schools on levying of illegal charges and other forms of extortion contrary to the Policy of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019. She warned them in strong terms to desist forthwith from any act of soliciting a bribe and any other act constituting extortion. "You must not ask for any bribe or charge for anything outside the Ministry's policy and the ACC law," she emphasized. 

The Deputy Director of MBSSE Alpha Bangura provided succinct explanation on pertinent issues raised relating to policy guidelines and the position of the Ministry in the management and administration of schools across the country. Mr Bangura encouraged school administrators to enhance best practices in their various schools and to make frantic efforts to engage the Ministry and take necessary actions. He expressed dismay over the lack of supervision by some heads of schools which continue to have an adverse effect on the effective and smooth running of the schools.