Except for someone who has never lived in this tiny kingdom before, but ‘DURAY’ like Parrot who was born, bred and going to die here, the issue of examination malpractice is absolutely no new thing all.

The problem is as old as hunger. So when the most respected animal was informed that the Chief Examiner of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Mr. Issa Kamara and his assistant Mr. Ibrahim Kamara have been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), for the same purpose, it made him laugh and laugh because the problem is not only a new phenomenon, but has even appear we have decided to live with.

Not a single year in the examination calendar one will not hear about examination malpractice, if students are not caught in exams halls, they will be caught together with teachers in secret locations answering questions on separate answer sheets.

This ugly development has not only made students lazy these days, but has undeniably undermine quality education in the country, thus making the country once referred to the Anthems of West Africa to lag behind others in the sub-region if not the continent.

The Parrot can vividly recall that a couple of years ago few teachers were paraded at the historic Cotton Tree, central Freetown by the ACC for what they alleged was examination malpractice. But did that stop corruption practice? The answer is big NO!

According to the statement released by the Director of Public Education and External Outreach at the ACC Mr. Abubakarr Turay, Mr. Issa Kamara faces a six count charge, while his assistant Mr. Ibrahim Kamara receives five counts.

The charges include abuse of office, academic malpractice, conspiracy and use of office for advantage.

The ACC statement alleged that, the two officials used their positions to confer an unfair advantages on one Foday Fasuluku Mansaray a candidate in the May/June 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

It was also alleged that, Mr. Issa Kamara obtained an examination script belonging to his nephew without name and was supplied and handed it to Mr. Ibrahim Kamara who allegedly answered some of the questions before the script was eventually returned and mixed with other marked papers.

The bird as usual sounded the views of many people when it comes to sensitive issues involving state actors.

Most of the people he met said they were not surprised at all because according to them, examination malpractice is not a new practice in the country.

Some even told the bird that, year-in-year-out results are sized as a result of examination malpractice mostly done by the teachers, supervisors and in some cases workers of WAEC.

The wise bird is of the view that, if the investigation is deeply and fairly conducted without prejudice, more heads will surely roll at WAEC.

Against this backdrop and to prevent future occurrence, the bird would like to encourage the ACC to deepen its investigation, whilst he continues to watch how things keep unfolding.