By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Following release of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results in the country by the Ministry of Basic and Senior School Education (MBSSE), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has cautioned Principals of Senior Secondary Schools against extortion and levying of illegal charges on parents.
The commission held the discussions with the School Authorities at a meeting in Freetown on the 3rd October 2023.
After the meeting, the ACC issued a press release stating that even though the quest for admission to senior secondary schools by parents and guardians for their children is high, it reminded school authorities about the MBSSE policy and the ACC Act of 2000 as amended in 2019.
The Deputy Commissioner of ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie reminded the School Authorities of Sections of the ACC Amendment Act of 2019 which states that “a person who engages in corrupt activity or practice, in a programme organized or conducted by an educational institution or examination body, to confer an advantage on himself or another person commits an offence”.
He also said that these acts were contrary to the established position of the commission and MBSSE, which has published the approved Government of Sierra Leone Charges for all services and products in public schools.
Therefore, the commission in its statement reiterates its position in the release that school authorities must not demand or accept any form of “advantage or bribe” from parents or guardians, nor impose charges that are outside the approved charges of MBSSE.
It reminded and cautioned all school authorities across the country that on receipt of any report of strong evidence of extortion and levying of illegal charges in schools, the commission will swiftly move in, arrest, investigate, and prosecute accordingly.
In that regard, the commission in its statement encouraged the public to make complaints or report to the commission’s Headquarter and Regional Offices on any suspected illegal activities from schools’ heads.
The ACC reassures the public of its undeterred commitment to controlling corruption at all levels in Sierra Leone.
The Anti-Corruption Commission is mandated to conduct investigations and intelligence operations and to investigate instances of alleged or suspected corruption.
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