# Sierra Leone 2026 WASSCE results and malpractice dispute > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sierra-leone-2026-wassce-result-delays > Updated: 2026-11-03T16:34:37.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 5. The release of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results in Sierra Leone followed significant delays attributed to widespread examination irregularities. Of the 200,756 candidates included in the results submitted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), 91,122 students achieved at least five credits in a single sitting, representing a 64.3 per cent success rate. Alfred Farwell Thorpe of Sierra Leone Grammar School was identified as the top-performing candidate, securing six A1 grades across eight subjects. Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, announced the results on October 27, noting that while overall pass rates increased, 47,454 candidates had their results withheld due to suspected malpractice. This represents approximately 23.6 per cent of all entries, including 26,735 females and 20,719 males. The number of withheld results marks a significant increase from the 13,237 cases recorded in 2025. Suspected irregularities include collusion, the use of unauthorized materials, mobile phone possession, and social media-related offenses. WAEC also flagged 169 schools for suspected malpractice. In response, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has called on WAEC and the Ministry to urgently resolve the matter. Kargbo warned that the uncertainty threatens students' ability to secure tertiary admissions and emphasized that “candidates should not be presumed guilty based on suspicion alone.” Following these concerns, the Parliamentary Committee on Basic and Senior Secondary Education summoned Minister Sackey to address the situation. The results also highlighted a performance gap in English Language, where only 9.77 per cent of candidates achieved a credit or better, compared to a 62.15 per cent credit rate in Mathematics. Furthermore, 368 candidates from five private institutions were excluded due to an outstanding debt of NLe 114,093 owed to WAEC. ## Timeline ### 2026-11-03: Sierra Leone Parliament summons Education Minister over WASSCE results Sierra Leone's Education Minister has been summoned by Parliament to explain high English failure rates and the withholding of 47,454 WASSCE results due to suspected examination malpractice. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sierra-leone-parliament-summons-education-minister-over-wassce-results ### 2026-10-30: Sierra Leone WASSCE 2026 results show high malpractice rates Sierra Leone's 2026 WASSCE results show that 23.6% of candidates had results withheld for suspected malpractice, while English Language proficiency remains low. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sierra-leone-wassce-2026-results-show-high-malpractice-rates ### 2026-10-28: Sierra Leone Opposition Leader demands resolution of withheld WASSCE results Sierra Leone's opposition leader is calling for the urgent release of 47,454 withheld WASSCE results to prevent students from missing university admission deadlines. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sierra-leone-opposition-leader-demands-resolution-of-withheld-wassce-results ### 2026-10-26: Sierra Leone releases 2026 WASSCE results amid malpractice and debt issues Sierra Leone has released the 2026 WASSCE results, reporting a 64.3 per cent credit rate despite 47,454 results being withheld for malpractice and 368 students excluded due to unpaid school fees. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sierra-leone-education-minister-announces-2026-wassce-results-release ### 2026-10-24: Sierra Leone Education Minister addresses 2026 WASSCE result delays Sierra Leone's Education Minister Conrad Sackey cited examination irregularities and WAEC investigations as the cause for the delayed 2026 WASSCE results, while warning against social media misinformation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sierra-leone-education-minister-addresses-2026-wassce-result-delays --- Cite as: Sierra Leone 2026 WASSCE results and malpractice dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sierra-leone-2026-wassce-result-delays