A case of gross injustice

Hundreds of Senior Secondary School pupils were not allowed to sit to this year’s West Africa Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE) because they did not score the stipulated grades in the Basic Examination Certificate Examination (BECE) which they sat about four years ago. The situation of course, triggered mass discontentment among the affected pupils and their parents and guardians and in some schools, it almost sparked violence.

While commending the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Minkailu Bah (in photo) for insisting on the screening of pupils for the exam by setting a rigorous standard, I hereby condemn those unscrupulous school authorities who allowed the affected pupils to meander their way into the senior Secondary School system even when such authorities knew very well that the pupils did not score the requisite grades in the BECE.

One cannot rule out the possibility that the pupils bribed their way into the senior school sector, especially when some of the pupils boldly demanded a refund of the money they spent to illegally enter Senior Secondary School.

Why allow failed pupils to spend four years in Senior Secondary School only to be deprived of the exam for which they wasted all those years? Is that not a case of gross injustice against the affected pupils and their parents and guardians? I am sure it is. Then, what mechanism has been put in place to ensure that the affected pupils do not end up being drop outs?

May I be correct to suggest that those money hungry school authorities who allowed the failed pupils to illegally enter the Senior School system be indicted by the Anti Corruption Commission? Have such dishonest school authorities not contributed to destroy the future of the affected pupils?

Why punished the pupils alone? Why not also punish those crooked school authorities who fooled the pupils to believe that they were qualified to sit the WASSCE?

Mr Education Minister, please make sure that such unpleasant academic history does not repeat itself in this republic, otherwise we will be breeding a fresh set of rebels.

I am recommending that any school head who deliberately admits a failed BECE pupil into the Senior Secondary School for commercial or other reasons be dealt with in accordance with the law.

It is a case of gross injustice for only the pupils to suffer; those who mislead them into senior secondary school should suffer as well. The development of this nation heavily relies on the amount of well-educated people we produce. A nation can never develop beyond its mentality, so education is not something we should mess around with in this country.

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!