NEWS STORY
Putting an end to all forms of examination malpractices requires not only a civic, but a shared responsibility which must be shown with deep sense of passion, willingness, integrity and love for country.
As a result, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Southern Bo Regional Office, on Wednesday, 12th August, 2020, at the Bo Regional Conference Room, engaged key examination stakeholders, to discuss action points relating to the conduct and monitoring mechanisms of the ongoing West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Exams (WASSCE).
Representatives from the ACC, Sierra Leone Police, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), Bo District Council, Bo City Council, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), and the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) agreed to demonstrate strong commitment to eliminating all forms of examination malpractice and/or irregularities in the ongoing exams.
Affirming this commitment, the ACC Regional Manager, Musa Jawara, together with staff of the Commission, emphasized the need to strengthen accountability and integrity in the exams. He said, the Commission in collaboration with the police, WAEC and MBSSE, will take drastic actions against anyone who attempts to undermine the integrity of the exams.
Speaking on the formation of the ACC Educational Task Force, Martin Tarawally, Senior Investigations Officer, called the attention of the police, WAEC and MBSSE to be aware of ‘ghost candidates’ in ‘special rooms’ and school authorities who may tend to engage in examination malpractices. Taking all steps as may be necessary, he noted, is important to laying a strong educational foundation for pupils to have better hope, success and eventually beat poverty.
Speaking on the need to enforce effective monitoring mechanisms, Melvina Bockarrie, Development Planning Officer, Bo District Council, called on all ward councillors to support the monitoring process and ensure vigilance in their communities. She advised all heads of schools and invigilators to be vigilant during the conduct of the exams, emphasizing that that will surely restore sanity and dignity in all public exams.
The Bo District Coordinator of TSC, Augustine Karim, emphasized that the lost glory of education can only be realized if immediate actions are taken against perpetrators of examination malpractices.
The Deputy Chief Administrator of Bo City Council admonished the Task Force to dismantle all study night camps during the examination period.
The ACC Bo Regional Office, together with the education stakeholders agreed, among other things to: hold mass public sensitization on the dangers of examination malpractice, make available a free toll hot line, conduct thorough search on candidates before entering examination halls, and monitor examination centres.
