Sierra Leone Releases 2026 WASSCE Results as 47,454 Scores Are Withheld

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education announced the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination results on 27 October, reporting strong performances by leading candidates alongside a substantial number of withheld results.

The West African Examinations Council submitted the results to the Ministry on 23 October. Alfred Farwell Thorpe of Sierra Leone Grammar School was named the country’s best-performing candidate, while Syllawa Alie of Kamboi Lebanese Senior Secondary School in Kenema secured second position.

Thorpe recorded six A1 grades, one B3 and one C4 across eight subjects, with an average grade unit of 1.63. Alie achieved four A1 grades, two B2 grades and two B3 grades, recording an average grade unit of 1.75.

Awada Senior Secondary School in Bo was recognised as the best-performing school in the examination.

Results withheld over suspected malpractice

The Ministry said results for 47,454 candidates had been withheld over suspected examination malpractice. The figure comprised 26,735 females and 20,719 males.

The suspected irregularities were classified under 13 categories. Examples provided by the Ministry included collusion, sharing answers inside examination rooms, and using social media platforms or artificial intelligence to obtain or distribute answers.

The number of withheld results rose from 13,237 in 2025 to 47,454 in 2026. The Ministry said the increase could reflect tighter monitoring and better detection of malpractice, but added that further investigations were needed to establish the causes.

Withheld results do not automatically establish that a candidate is guilty. The Ministry said WAEC may release results where allegations are not substantiated, while candidates found responsible for malpractice could have their results cancelled.

The Chief Education Officer, described as the Government’s chief nominee to WAEC, is expected to work with the relevant committee to speed up investigations. The Ministry also intends to involve three respected educationists as observers during deliberations.

Possible disciplinary measures may extend to examination supervisors, invigilators, centre managers, principals and school proprietors found to have facilitated malpractice. Repeat offenders among school authorities could be referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission, and government funds paid for ineligible candidates could be recovered.

Participation and performance figures

A total of 201,124 candidates from 1,043 schools registered for the examination. Results were made available for 200,756 candidates from 1,038 schools.

The Ministry said results for 368 candidates from five private schools were not released because of outstanding payments.

It also reported that 11,492 candidates were absent from all subjects, including 6,490 females and 5,002 males. A separate figure recorded 141,810 candidates as present. The relationship between these figures requires further clarification.

National performance data indicated that 91,122 candidates obtained at least five credits in one sitting. The Ministry associated this figure with 64.3 per cent, although that percentage requires reconciliation with the official examination figures.

English Language remained a major concern. The Ministry reported that 63.33 per cent of candidates failed the subject, while 62.15 per cent obtained a credit or better in Mathematics.

Planned examination reforms

In response to the challenges identified in the results, the Ministry announced plans to introduce a new WAEC Bill in 2027. The proposed legislation is intended to improve examination administration, strengthen accountability and provide legal sanctions for malpractice.