By: Yusuf Ibrahim Kamara (The Wise Thinker)
Authorities at Agape School have been directed to refund parents who allegedly paid money for the release of their children’s National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results.
The directive followed the summoning of the school authorities to the office of the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, where they were asked to respond to allegations that parents had been required to make payments before receiving their children’s examination results.
According to a statement issued by the Minister on his official Facebook page, the Ministry has resolved that all parents whose money was collected for the purpose must be refunded.
The school has also been instructed to issue a clear notice through its Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) communication channels, informing parents that no payment should be made to obtain or collect their children’s NPSE results.
The Ministry further directed Agape School to formally communicate its position on the matter in writing and to take steps to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
The Minister said this was the first time the school had been found in default over the particular issue and, as a result, the authorities had issued a strong warning to the school management.
However, he stressed that the fact that it was a first-time violation did not make the matter insignificant, particularly given the economic circumstances of families within the community where the school operates.
“Agape School is located in a hilltop community where many families struggle every day to put food on the table and meet basic household needs,” the Minister said.
He noted that even relatively small additional charges could create significant financial pressure for parents already struggling to meet their families’ basic needs.
The Minister warned against building an education system in which disadvantaged families are repeatedly required to make additional payments at different stages of their children’s education.
He emphasized that the Ministry’s responsibility is to protect the interests of children while ensuring that parents are treated fairly by educational institutions.
According to the Minister, schools that have legitimate costs to be paid by parents must follow the appropriate procedures and communicate such charges transparently through the Ministry, rather than imposing unexpected payments at the point of collecting examination results.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to receiving complaints from parents, investigating allegations and taking appropriate action whenever schools are found to have breached established procedures.
The Minister concluded by emphasizing the financial realities faced by many families, stating: “Every Leone matters to a struggling family. Every child deserves a fair chance.”
The development comes amid continued efforts by the education authorities to strengthen accountability and ensure that parents are not subjected to unauthorized charges in connection with their children’s access to examination results and other essential educational services.