By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
An estimated sum of NLE 45,192,624 (Forty-five million, one hundred and ninety-two thousand, six hundred and twenty-four New Leones) has been forwarded to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as Examination Fees for the ongoing 2023 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The payment, according to a public notice by the Ministry of Finance on the 5th of June 2023 represents 50% of the total initial entries of 220,721 (two hundred and twenty thousand, seven hundred and twenty-one) candidates.
The payment to WAEC was made by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE).
The notice also stated that the Finance Ministry had disbursed the sum of NLE12, 050,446.55 (twelve million and fifty thousand, four hundred and forty six New Leones, fifty-five cents) to various Sierra Leone Missions abroad, which then resulted in the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) in turn making stipend payments to 451 (four hundred and fifty one) Sierra Leonean students pursuing various courses in universities worldwide.
The notice explained that MTHE paid NLE44, 331.97 (forty-four thousand, three hundred and thirty-one New Leones, ninety-seven cents) to 12 students in Cuba as part of their stipends, NLE2,369,770.50 (two million, three hundred and sixty-nine thousand, seven hundred and seventy New Leones, fifty cents) to 64 students based in China and NLE259,193.65 (two hundred and fifty-nine thousand, one hundred and ninety-three New Leones, sixty-five cents) to seven students in Hungary.
Also, a total of NLE407, 304.30 (four hundred and seven thousand, three hundred and four New Leones, thirty cents) went to eleven students in Venezuela.
The notice mentioned the other students that benefited from the aforementioned total sum of money disbursed are 11 in Turkey, 2 in Tunisia, 5 in Serbia, 10 in Pakistan, 27 in Morocco, 10 in Algeria, 109 in Russia, 1 in South Korea, 140 in China, 2 in Malaysia and 40 in Hungary making a total of 451 (four hundred and fifty one) Sierra Leonean students abroad.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/06/23)
