By: Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has in a press release dated Wednesday 1st November 2023, cautioned/ commented the Public about a public notice making rounds on social media authored by one of the ministry’s staff informing school authorities and parents that the Ministry is collecting data from schools nationwide.
According to the release, the ministry attention was drawn to a public notice purported to have originated from the Ministry that was sent to school authorities and parents stating a purported position of the Ministry regarding the collection of data on behalf of the Ministry.
The release continued that MBSSE recognized the author of the piece as a staff of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) Programme, but the ministry however, informed the public that the authored of the notice identified as Mr. Sesay has no institutional mandate to issues out Public Notice and press release requesting data for and on behalf of the Ministry.
The press release states: ‘The Ministry however wishes to make it known that Mr Sesay has no institutional mandate to issues Public Notice and press release requesting data for and on behalf of the Ministry,’ part of the release stated.
The release furthered stated that there are legitimate Directorates/structures charged with the responsibility to collect and manage educational data in the country.
The release added that the act of soliciting such data from school authorities is a complete misrepresentation of the Ministry and therefore the Ministry wishes to categorically dissociate itself unwholesome from such conduct of the individual.
The release called on all school authorities to ignore that Public Notice and that any such attempts from individuals, if not from the legitimate Directorate/structure through the office of the permanent secretary, should desist from having any dealings with or adhering to any such request from impostures in the country.
The release warned all and sundry to desist from such act. ‘It is a strict prescription, which requires adherence by school authorities, any refraction will be the peril of the individual, it noted.
