The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has issued a strong warning to schools, teachers, and education officials across Sierra Leone, declaring that no pupil should be charged any fee to collect a report card at the end of an academic term.
According to the education authorities, reports have emerged that some schools are demanding payments from parents and guardians before releasing pupils’ report cards. Such practices, MBSSE says, are illegal, unacceptable, and contrary to government policy.
The education sector regulator emphasized that report cards are a fundamental right of every pupil and their parents or guardians and should never be withheld because of unpaid fees or unauthorized charges.
Parents and guardians have been advised that if any school insists on collecting money before issuing a report card, they should request an official receipt for any payment made and immediately report the matter to the authorities.
Furthermore, any payment request outside approved government guidelines should be treated as a serious violation requiring urgent attention.
To strengthen enforcement, education officials have urged members of the public to report offenders through the toll-free hotline 8060 or directly to senior officials responsible for overseeing the sector.
Authorities say all complaints will be investigated and that appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against any school, teacher, or official found to be violating the directive.
The warning comes as schools across the country conclude the academic term and begin issuing end-of-term report cards, a period during which complaints about unauthorized school charges often emerge.
The latest directive also reinforces the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to the Free Quality School Education Programme, which was introduced to reduce financial barriers preventing children from accessing education. Officials stressed that no child should be denied educational services because of unofficial fees.
MBSSE further called on parents, teachers, school administrators, and education stakeholders to work together to protect the integrity of the education system and ensure that children have unhindered access to their academic records and learning opportunities.
Parents who may have already paid unauthorized report card fees have also been encouraged to come forward with evidence to support investigations and enforcement actions.
For complaints or reports, members of the public are encouraged to call the toll-free line: 8060.