Over Withholding of 47,000 WASSCE Results… Parliament Orders Investigation into WAEC’S Capacity To Conduct Public Examinations
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has directed the Parliamentary Committee on Basic Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), to investigate the capacity of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to conduct public examinations in Sierra Leone.
The directive follows widespread public concern over the withholding of more than 47,000 results from the recently released West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), leaving thousands of candidates, parents and schools in distress and uncertainty about their academic future.
The matter came before Parliament on Thursday, 5th November 2026, following concerns raised by Members of Parliament over the circumstances surrounding the withheld results and the implications for affected pupils.
Before ordering a formal investigation, the Speaker gave the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education an opportunity to explain the reasons behind WAEC’s decision to withhold the results, the processes leading to the decision and the measures being taken to address the concerns of affected candidates.
However, after considering the Minister’s initial explanation, the Speaker ruled that the matter required a comprehensive parliamentary and ministerial investigation to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability within the country’s public examination system.
In his ruling, the Speaker issued the following directives:
1. Inclusive Review Committee: The committee established by the Minister to review the withheld results must include representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Basic Education to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the process.
2. Investigation into WAEC: The Parliamentary Committee on Basic Education, together with the Ministry, must investigate WAEC, with particular attention to:
* WAEC’s institutional and operational capacity to conduct public examinations;
* The Ministry’s involvement in the recruitment of examination officers; and
* Any other issues considered relevant to the investigation.
3. Investigation Timeline: The Ministry must provide Parliament with a clear timeline indicating when the investigation will be completed.
4. Post-Investigation Report: WAEC must submit a comprehensive post-investigation report to Parliament through the Ministry of Education, clearly explaining the reasons for withholding the results and outlining measures to prevent a recurrence.
5. Immediate Release of Results: All results withheld without supporting evidence must be released immediately.
The Speaker emphasised that Parliament would not sit idly by while the academic future of Sierra Leonean children was jeopardised. He maintained that withholding candidates’ results without sufficient evidence was unjust and undermined public confidence in the examination system as well as the objectives of the Free Quality Education programme.
Members of Parliament across the political divide welcomed the Speaker’s intervention, describing it as timely and necessary to protect the interests of affected pupils and restore public confidence in the country’s examination system.
The committee is expected to commence its investigation immediately and report its findings and recommendations to the House.
