By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Principals of senior secondary schools in Kenema have expressed concern over the attitude of candidates preparing for the end of senior school education exams or WASSSCE.
In an interview with Politico on 17th May, 2021 at his office, the Principal Government Secondary school Kenema who doubles as the Chairman Conference of Principals Eastern region, Alhaji Mustapha J Mansaray explained to Politico that the issue of students preparing for the exams not attending classes has become a serious challenge to them as school authorities in Kenema. The exams scheduled for August this year has now been shifted to September.
School attendances have been poor and Mansaray stated that colleague principals have expressed concerns over the situation. He said the Conference of Principals is yet to make a decision but members have agreed to have a meeting with parents before taking action against absenting pupils.
He disclosed that Ministry of Education officials have suggested that any child that fails to attend classes should not be allowed to take the exams but they have instead decided to first engage parents.
Mansaray said though WAEC which is the regional body organizing the exams should be blamed for the change of date, this could have given the students valuable opportunity to attend classes so their teachers could help them complete their syllabus and put them in a better position ahead of the exams.
Islamic Senior Secondary School Principal Brima Koroma said it has now become a tradition for WASSCE candidates to shun lessons prior to the exams. He stated that teachers have been upset at him because whenever he asked them to go to the classrooms they will encounter the students drifting out of the classrooms. He said that has become a headache for them. He stated that some pupils after verifying their entrance forms don’t even come to school again, whilst others have not even thought of doing the verification procedure. “Out of a class of fifty, not even ten in number show up”, he said.
He said the students prefer private classes where he said there was no control whatsoever.
Meanwhile, the regional Education Officer East Alusine Michael Kpaluhun acknowledged receiving complaints from principals in that respect and said parents have a role to play in making sure their children attend school.
He said during his routine monitoring in the region in Kono and Kailahun similar concerns came up from heads of schools that the turnout of the pupils has been very poor. “We have made it clear to the principals in a communiqué by the ministry that those who fail to attend classes will not be permitted to sit the exams,” he said.
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