By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S
During the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s (MOIC) weekly press conference, Conrad Sackey, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, addressed crucial developments regarding the registration process for the upcoming West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Minister Sackey outlined the government’s commitment to supporting students who missed the WASSCE in previous years. Historically, these students were permitted to take the examination through private centers, with financial aid provided by the government.
In a significant policy update, Sackey announced that students must now have their Continuous Assessment Scores (CAS) uploaded as part of their final grade. Unlike prior years, when CAS was submitted post-examination, this new requirement mandates that CAS will constitute 30% of the final grade before students can sit for the WASSCE.
This year, a total of 163,797 students from 892 schools have registered for the WASSCE, an increase from last year’s 147,000 candidates. However, Sackey disclosed that 880 schools failed to meet the deadline for submitting their CAS 2 grades, with 12 schools unable to upload their scores in time.
Stressing the importance of the February 7, 2025, registration deadline, the Minister urged the public to hold schools accountable for completing this process. He warned that non-compliance would result in serious penalties: government schools could face a six-month suspension without salary, while private institutions risk losing their licenses if they do not employ qualified staff. “The focus of education is accountability,” Sackey emphasized.
In conclusion, the Minister praised stakeholders in Bombali for their support during Education Week and encouraged ongoing collaboration to enhance education standards and ensure student success.
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