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Claim: A Sierra Eye news article published on the 19th of May, 2025 has claimed that over 40,000 pupils across 620 schools were barred from taking the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) due to missing Continuous Assessment Scores (CASs). The article states that these exclusions account for approximately one-third of all registered candidates.
Verdict: False. The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) confirmed that students missing CAS are disqualified from sitting for exams, as stipulated in prior directives. Enforcement measures included the suspension of principals and other corrective actions for schools failing to comply with CAS requirements.
But contrary to the claim, official statistics show that 28,913 students were registered for the 2025 BECE, making the exclusion of “40,000 pupils” implausible. The total number of students registered for all national exams in 2025 was 178,823. Thus, the alleged figure of 40,000 exclusions equates to 22% of this broader total and not the “one-third” as claimed.
Moreover, Minister Conrad Sackey clarified that while some schools failed to submit CAS, resulting in exclusions, the specific figures cited in the claim were unfounded. He noted that 82 schools faced issues with CAS compliance but emphasised ongoing efforts to address these challenges.
Full Text
On the 19th of May 2025, a report by Sierra Eye magazine, which was republished by other media platforms like Sierraloaded, claimed that over 40,000 pupils from 620 schools were excluded from the 2025 BECE for failing to submit Continuous Assessment Scores (CASs).
The report triggered widespread concerns as educators and parents expressed alarm over the exclusion of such a large number of students. One student, during a local protest hosted following the exclusion, said, “I feel bad as we come every day to school. We’ve been pressured to pay the money for snapshots by our principal, even for verification, which we did three times. We’ve been encouraged every day to take the exam when we come to school, attend lessons which cost 400 leones per month, but today we’ve come to know we won’t be able to take the exam,” Sierraloaded reported earlier on the 13th of March 2025.
Official Clarifications
Sierra Fox Media (Sierraloaded) article titled “Education Minister Conrad Sackey Announces Key Updates on WAEC Assessment Scores”, published June 11, 2025. This covers Minister Sackey’s explanation of WAEC’s collaborative structure, the CAS scoring breakdown (30% CAS + 70% exam), school compliance stats, and measures to support non-compliant schools. Sierra Loaded article
The Minister also confirmed a total of 148,362 candidates registered for the 2025 WAEC exam. Inclusive measures, such as braille papers and extended time for students with disabilities, were emphasised. Additionally, strict warnings were issued against malpractice, including the use of mobile phones during exams.
During a May 2025 parliamentary session, Education Minister Conrad Sackey acknowledged instances of CAS-related exclusions, saying 82 schools did not comply with the directives of the ministry, which made them miss the exams. He assured the public that efforts were underway to address systemic issues, including plans to support students who were wrongly excluded from subsequent exams. However, the minister debunked the claim of 40,000 exclusions.
AYV News report (“In Sierra Leone: 66,689 boys, 81,673 girls for WAEC 2025 Exams”, June 16, 2025) confirms the total of 148,362 registered WAEC exam candidates, details on inclusion efforts (braille, extended time), and the warning against mobile phone use. AYV TV News link
A Ministry of Information and Civic Education press release dated February 5, 2025, reports that four secondary school principals were suspended (without pay) for six months due to failure to meet the CAS submission deadline—a move clearly tied to exam eligibility rules. HERE and HERE
However, the specific figure of “40,000 pupils from 620 schools” remains false. Furthermore, according to AYV News, the total number of candidates registered for the 2025 BECE was 28,913, comprising 14,229 males and 14,684 females across 542 schools. The number of 40,000 excluded students exceeds the number of registered candidates for the examination, making it mathematically implausible. AYV NEWS
School principals reportedly considered strikes, and the Coalition for Principals’ Solidarity threatened a boycott of upcoming exams. An opposition MP, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, condemned the situation as a “leadership failure,” reflecting growing frustration among the public, the media outlet reported.
Conclusion
While the policy of disqualifying students for missing CAS is verified, the claim of “40,000 pupils from 620 schools being barred” is false. The figures lack corroboration from official data and contradict verified registration statistics. The claim’s scale and severity are exaggerated, and therefore, it is deemed false.
