Open Letter to Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic Education: A Call for Justice and Dignity for the 45-year-old woman WASSCE Candidate

Dear Mr. Minister,

Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. It should never be used as a weapon against those who seek it most desperately (Nelson Mandela)

Today, I write to you not just as an advocate for educational equity, but as the voice of countless Sierra Leonean women who have been denied their fundamental right to learn. This is not just a cause I support, but a journey I have lived through. You see, growing up in Sierra Leone, I, too, was deprived of an education. It was only through adult education opportunities in the United States that I was able to transform my life and pursue the learning that led to the doctoral degree I hold today. My story is not unique. It is shared by most Sierra Leonean women, including my mother and her generation, whose childhood dreams of education were extinguished by circumstances beyond her control, yet her spirit still yearns for the knowledge stolen from her generation.

The recent events in Freetown during the May-June WASSCE examination have exposed a troubling reality. They remind us of our shared responsibility to address the treatment of women who bravely strive to reclaim their stolen educational opportunities. The public humiliation of a 45-year-old woman, whose identity should be protected, not exposed to ridicule, is a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead in our country.

Facts Cannot Be Ignored

There is no law in Sierra Leone that prohibits adults from pursuing formal education or sitting for national or regional examinations. Our Constitution explicitly guarantees the right to education for all citizens without age discrimination. Our national education policies echo this commitment to lifelong learning and gender equity.

The 45-year-old woman did not attempt to circumvent the system. She followed established procedures, was officially registered by a recognized school, received a valid candidacy index number, and arrived prepared to demonstrate her knowledge alongside her younger peers. Her presence was neither fraudulent nor disruptive; she wore a uniform to help her blend in with her fellow exam takers. Her actions were inspirational.

Tragic Institutional Failure

Suppose WAEC maintains age restrictions that contradict our national laws and policies. Why was this not identified during the registration process? The failure occurred not in the examination hall but in a system that allowed the woman to invest her time, money, and hopes in a process that would later humiliate and fail her.

Instead of a quiet, respectful resolution, we witnessed a public spectacle on social media that violated every human dignity principle. This woman was interrupted mid-examination, photographed without her consent, and subjected to condescending treatment by WAEC official Madam Mamusu Patico Komeh, a woman who should have understood the courage it took for a deprived woman to return to education later in life.

Questions to Answers

• Would a 70-year-old man pursuing education have faced the same public humiliation?

• Would we have celebrated his determination instead of mocking his ambition?

• How many other adult women will now abandon their educational dreams after witnessing this treatment?

• What message does this send to girls in school about their worth and potential?

This incident represents more than policy confusion; it embodies the intersection of gender bias, ageism, and institutional cruelty that continues to limit women's opportunities in our society.

Justice & Reform

We call upon the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education to take immediate action:

1. Affirm Educational Rights: Issue a clear public statement confirming that Sierra Leonean law contains no age restrictions for educational pursuit or examination participation. Education is a human right, not a privilege reserved for the young.

   
   

2. Investigate and Reform the Registration Processes: Conduct a thorough investigation into how this woman was allowed to register if she was allegedly ineligible. Hold all parties responsible for this systemic failure accountable and implement safeguards to prevent future occurrences.

   
   

3. Ensure Accountability: Take disciplinary action against WAEC official Madam Komeh for her unprofessional conduct, public humiliation of a candidate, and violation of her rights to privacy. Such behavior from educational officials is unacceptable and must have consequences.

   
   

4. Clarify and Standardize Policies: If WAEC maintains internal eligibility criteria that differ from national law, these must be made publicly available, consistently applied, and aligned with constitutional principles. Secret or selective enforcement of rules is antithetical to justice.

   
   

5. Protect Future Candidates: Implement comprehensive protections ensuring that no candidate, particularly women returning to education, will face public humiliation or privacy violations. Create supportive pathways for adult learners rather than barriers.

Impact to Keep in Mind

This incident threatens to undo decades of progress in adult literacy and women's education. In a nation where girls are routinely denied schooling due to poverty and cultural barriers, including early marriage, we cannot afford to shame those who overcome these obstacles to pursue learning later in life. If we do not address this issue, we risk discouraging many potential adult learners and perpetuating the cycle of educational inequality.

When a 45-year-old woman sits for an examination, she represents her dreams and the dreams of every girl who was told she was too old, poor, or female to deserve education. Her courage should inspire celebration, not condemnation.

Educational Justice Vision

Sierra Leone stands at a crossroads. We can choose to be a nation that celebrates lifelong learning and supports women's educational aspirations at any age, or we can remain trapped in systems that perpetuate exclusion and discrimination. By choosing the former, we can unlock the full potential of our nation and contribute to a brighter future for all Sierra Leoneans.

The world is watching. Our daughters are watching. History is watching.

Let us choose justice. Let us choose dignity. Let us choose to be defenders of dreams rather than destroyers of hope.

The woman who sat for that examination has already shown more courage than many will demonstrate in a lifetime. The question now is whether our institutions will show the courage to defend her right to that opportunity.

In unwavering solidarity and with the urgent expectation of action,

Fatima Babih, EdD

Founder and CEO, African Women's R.I.S.E.

Author and Advocate for Girls’ Education & Gender Justice