The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has released the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, showing a slight improvement in national performance compared to 2024.

A total of 129,260 candidates from 1,987 schools were registered, with 122,037 sitting for at least one subject. Of these, 114,709 students (94%) obtained the minimum requirement of five passes, including Language Arts or Mathematics, marking a one-point increase from last year’s 93%.

“For the fifth consecutive year, female candidates (62,971) outnumbered males (59,066), reflecting continued progress in gender participation.

The overall subject pass rate stood at 90.1%, the highest on record, with only one subject scoring below 70%.

“Providence International School’s Mamawa Yenie Bangura emerged as the top candidate with an aggregate score of 7, followed by Aminatta B.C.C. of St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Makeni. Notably, 10 of the top 16 candidates were female, reaffirming strong female academic performance.

“Outstanding schools by category include Comboy Lebanese Secondary School (Koinadugu), Chesterton Academy of SL GSS (Waterloo), Christian Reformed Church GSSS (Kambia), St. Joseph’s Secondary School (Makeni), The Experimental School (Kenema), and Methodist High School (Freetown).A record 915 schools achieved a 100% qualification rate for SSS placement, while 481 schools scored 95% or higher” MBSSE Press release averred.

However, the Ministry expressed concern over 5,550 candidates who were absent for all subjects and vowed to curb absenteeism in the 2026 exams. It also identified a few underperforming districts and plans targeted interventions with local education authorities.

The Ministry congratulated all successful candidates, teachers, and schools, urging that SS1 classes begin before the end of November 2025, while pledging continued support to improve academic outcomes nationwide.