By Alusine Fullah
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSCE) has updated the general public on a press release that was dated on the 7th November, 2023 that the Free Quality Education project that was initiated by H.E Bio in 2018 elections manifesto is still in progress. The press release states:
“The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education wishes to inform the general public that the Free Quality School Education programme is still in full effect and continues to provide valuable learning opportunities for the children of this country. As part of this programme, we are committed to ensuring that the financial burden of parents and guardians is minimized, including the payment of examination fees for candidates in public examination classes”
In line with the foregoing, the ministry reiterated the following: examination fees coverage, prohibition of extortion, WASSCE entries, eligibility. In nexus to examination fees coverage, the press release highlighted that the ministry would continue to cover the examination fees for candidates in public examination classes including NPSE, BECE and WASSCE. This means that candidates attending public schools should not be forced to pay any fees for those exams.
The release also gives a stern winning to principal and headteachers that they should desist from any form of extortion for instance asking money from parents or guardians in relation to examination fees. President Julius Maada Bio launched the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) on the 20th August, 2018.
