The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says there is significant improvement in Sierra Leone’s performance in this year’s West African Senior Schools Exams (WASSCE).

WAEC’s head in Sierra Leone, Sheriff Sapateh said over 4,000 candidates who took this year’s West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) meet the entry requirements for admission into tertiary institutions.

He said 35,341 candidates entered for the exams- an increase of close to 30% as compared to 2009. The WAEC boss said “even though the percentage increase of passes in the exams might be marginal, there was a significant improvement in candidates’ output.”

The Sierra Leone Grammar School has the highest number of passes, followed by the Annie Walsh Memorial School, all in Freetown.

Murialdo Secondary School in Lunsar and the Bo Government Secondary School are also said to have done well in the exams.

Mr. Sapateh said the candidates showed improved performance in 22 subjects this year.

He said results of over 100 candidates were withheld for “various examination malpractices.”