Sierra Leone's Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education (MBSSE), Conrad Sackey, has officially disclosed the release of the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, underscoring the significance of educational achievement in the professional landscape. This momentous announcement was made on the morning of Monday, October 2, 2023, via the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
In the backdrop of professional aspirations, it is noteworthy that a total of 243,202 candidates hailing from 888 esteemed educational institutions throughout Sierra Leone partook in the May-June 2023 examination session. However, it is imperative to mention that the results of 28 private schools, encumbered by unresolved financial obligations with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), were conspicuously absent from the list forwarded to the MBSSE. Consequently, the official roster featured 230,973 candidates from 860 accredited schools.
Out of the candidates enlisted, 191,077 individuals demonstrated their commitment to their educational journey by taking at least one subject or paper, while 33,238 candidates have their results under temporary withholding, and an additional 6,658 candidates remained without results, a testament to their absence from all examination subjects. The systematic distribution of the released results to educational institutions commenced promptly on the very day of the announcement, October 2, 2023.
The 2023 candidate enrollment figures reached a historical zenith at 243,202, surpassing previous benchmarks, such as the 163,860 entries recorded for the 2003 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) and the 206,874 entries logged for the 2022 WASSCE. Coincidentally, the total number of results withheld, numbering 34,525, represents an all-time high, reflecting the unwavering commitment of both the MBSSE and WAEC to curbing irregularities in examination processes, a matter of paramount concern in professional spheres.
Among the 230,973 candidates featured on the list received by the MBSSE, 121,324 were female, and 109,649 were male, with females constituting 52.5% of the overall entries, continuing the trend of female predominance in WASSCE participation, which holds implications for the evolving professional landscape.
A striking 1,630,980 subject papers were diligently completed by the 191,077 candidates who undertook at least one subject, yielding a commendable total of 1,346,855 successful passes. This results in an impressive pass rate of 83%, significantly surpassing the 64% achieved in 2021 and the 77% recorded in 2022. This year's pass rate establishes an unprecedented high watermark.
Furthermore, the number of students attaining the minimum benchmark of five credits in a single sitting also scaled new heights, surging from 113,824 in 2022 to a remarkable 137,796 in 2023, notwithstanding the substantial number of results still awaiting adjudication.
The nuanced breakdown reveals that 551 candidates achieved a credit grade or higher in at least five subjects but fell short either in English Language or Mathematics. Additionally, 233 candidates secured a credit grade or better in five subjects, including English Language, yet were unable to attain a comparable performance in Mathematics. Meanwhile, an impressive 105,924 candidates secured credit grades or better in at least five subjects, encompassing Mathematics, while struggling to meet the proficiency level in English Language. A select group of 1,088 candidates managed to excel by securing a credit grade or better in at least five subjects, which included both Mathematics and English Language.
Moreover, 14,688 candidates garnered three credits, while another 26,128 candidates accumulated four credits, thereby earning eligibility for a range of post-secondary certificate and diploma programs, tailored to enhance their professional prospects.
In a significant development, the 2023 WASSCE results revealed two distinguished candidates from Providence International Senior High School, one male and one female, securing the highest positions. These exemplary candidates, Raymonda E. Mammah and Sahr Edward Fille, both sat for nine subjects and delivered exceptional performances, earning 8 A1s and 1 B2 each. Their impressive average grade/unit of 1.11 underscores their excellence.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that 16 candidates achieved superior average grades in the 2023 results compared to the best average grade attained in 2022.
Providence International Senior High School emerged as the leading educational institution, with all 185 of its candidates achieving a credit grade or better in a minimum of five subjects, inclusive of English Language and Mathematics. This accomplishment aligns with the prerequisites for direct entry into a university undergraduate degree program, a significant milestone in the professional journey of these students.
Despite the withholding of 34,525 results, the number of candidates meeting the university entrance requirements by obtaining five credits, including credits in English Language and Mathematics in a single sitting, reached an impressive 137,245, surpassing the 108,418 candidates recorded in 2022. It is pertinent to acknowledge that this number is poised to increase upon the eventual release of the pending results, offering further opportunities for aspiring professionals to gain university admission.
However, it is disconcerting to observe that the percentage of candidates securing credit grades or better in English Language was regrettably low, standing at 17%. Nonetheless, it is encouraging to note that overall performance in diverse subjects exhibited marked improvement in 2023 compared to the preceding year, indicative of the positive strides being made in the realm of professional education.
This is 😞 terrible
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