By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Conrad Sackey, has revealed that 2024 marks the fourth consecutive year in which more females have taken the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) than their male counterparts since 2020.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference in Freetown, the minister disclosed that 61,957 females participated in the 2024 BECE compared to 58,289 males, representing a 6.3% lead by females.
Minister Sackey noted that the pass rate for individual papers reached an impressive 90.5%, the second-highest ever recorded in the history of BECE in Sierra Leone.
He reported that 126,703 candidates from 1,835 schools were registered for the exam. Of those, 5,578 candidates were either absent for all subjects or had their results entirely canceled. Consequently, 121,125 candidates sat at least one subject and received grades.
Additionally, 879 candidates from late-entry schools had their results withheld by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), leaving a total of 125,824 results officially released to the ministry on November 13, 2024.
While the number of candidates sitting the BECE has decreased over the years, from 131,483 in 2021 to 121,125 in 2024, the pass rate for students achieving a minimum of five passes, including Language Arts or Mathematics, has seen a remarkable increase. The general Senior Secondary School (SSS) programme pass rate rose to 93%, up by 21% compared to previous years.
“Our goal has always been to ensure that every child successfully completes basic education, as enshrined in the 1991 Constitution, and progresses to senior secondary school. We are proud to see that we are nearing this milestone,” Minister Sackey stated.
He also highlighted top-performing candidates and schools. Two candidates tied for the top position: Mariam M. Sesay from the International School and John Citta from Alfrain International Junior Secondary School. Both scored aggregates of 7, achieving 1s in seven subjects and a 2 in one subject.
The top-performing school, Providence International School in Freetown, achieved a 100% pass rate, with all candidates obtaining at least five passes, including Language Arts or Mathematics, and an impressive average grade of 1.68. It was closely followed by Christ Reformed Church Junior Secondary School in Kabala, Koinadugu District, which also recorded a 100% pass rate with an average grade of 1.69.
In total, 835 schools achieved a 100% pass rate, while an additional 461 schools recorded a pass rate of 95% or higher.
“Performance in the 2024 BECE has been outstanding. Girls continue to excel, schools are achieving remarkable results, and overall pass rates remain high. These achievements are a testament to our efforts in transforming education in Sierra Leone,” the minister concluded.
