A major crisis is unfolding in Sierra Leone’s education sector, as reliable sources reveal that up to 80% of pupils may be unable to take the 2025 West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
According to reliable sources, the new system introduced by the Ministry of Education has created widespread confusion among school principals and school pupils alike. The core of this problem stems from the introduction of a “CASH” system, which categorizes students into different entry years.
The current CASH being implemented is designated for the 2026 examination cohort, leaving many current students cut off from sitting the 2025 WASSCE.
Sources revealed that the CASH process been designed for SSS 1, 2, and 3 students, but many schools principals were unaware that the last CASH registration has been closed for those expected to sit the 2025 exams. This abrupt change has disrupted the academic plans of many pupils, some of whom had already prepared for this year’s exams.
Frustrated principals revealed that last year, a similar issue caused many pupils to miss their exams, a mistake that has sadly repeated itself. However, the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has already printed BRS (Basic Registration Sheet) by using CASH Year 1 without the knowledge of many school principals as instructed by the Ministry of Education.
Principals and conference bodies across the country have expressed outrage, arguing that the system is damaging pupils’ academic futures. Many fear that students, realizing they are ineligible for the exams, will lose motivation and their academic performance will drop drastically.
The Ministry of Education, following a directive from the government, has so far defended the system despite backlash. However, education leaders continue to plead for urgent intervention, especially for students who were promoted from SSS 2 to 3 and are now left without proper registration to take the exams.
In a recent press release, principals warned that only about 20% of eligible students, and even fewer in some cases may be able to take the 2025 WASSCE, leaving a devastating gap in the country’s education system.
