BY HASSAN OSMAN KARGBO
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has officially discontinued the implementation of the New Curriculum system across all schools in Sierra Leone. The decision was announced following a comprehensive review that concluded the curriculum was not approved by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), making its continued use ineffective and academically unsound.
In a directive issued to all school heads, educators, and education stakeholders, the Minister of Education declared the teaching of the New Curriculum “a waste of time and effort,” emphasizing that no aspect of the revised curriculum had received validation from WAEC, the regional body responsible for setting examination standards and ensuring academic consistency across West Africa.
Effective from the current academic term, all educational institutions are instructed to immediately revert to the Old Curriculum system. The Ministry stressed that schools must ensure their teaching materials, lesson plans, and instructional content are fully aligned with the WAEC-approved syllabi.
As part of the transition, key subject changes have been outlined by the Ministry. Notably:
English Language will now replace Business English
Literature in English will replace Popular Literature
These adjustments reflect a broader effort to harmonize Sierra Leone’s education system with regional examination standards and to better prepare students for external assessments, especially the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
School administrators have been urged to act promptly, revising timetables and lesson plans to conform to the old curriculum framework. The Ministry assured that further guidance and technical support will be made available through District Education Offices to facilitate a smooth transition.
“This decision, while abrupt, is necessary,” one senior official from the Ministry stated. “It is crucial that what we teach in our classrooms is recognized by examination bodies. Our students deserve the chance to be evaluated on content that is valid and accepted beyond our borders.”
The announcement has generated mixed reactions from the education community. Some educators have expressed frustration over the time and resources invested in implementing the New Curriculum, while others welcomed the return to a more familiar structure, especially one that aligns with WAEC expectations.
“It’s disappointing that we were using a curriculum that wasn’t properly accredited,” said a senior teacher at a secondary school in Bo. “But at least now we can refocus and ensure our students are adequately prepared for their exams.”
Parent-teacher associations and civil society education groups have called for improved oversight and communication from the Ministry to prevent similar policy reversals in the future. They have also urged the government to provide immediate support in the form of updated textbooks and teacher retraining to ease the transition.
The MBSSE emphasized that the decision is rooted in its commitment to raising academic standards and ensuring that Sierra Leonean students remain competitive at the regional and international levels.
For further clarification or assistance, school heads and teachers have been advised to contact their respective District Education Offices. The Ministry reiterated its dedication to working collaboratively with stakeholders to stabilize and strengthen the education system moving forward.
