The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially submitted the 2025 National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), nearly a month earlier than last year’s release.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) Conrad Sackey said on live TV broadcast that a total of 171,112 pupils registered for the exam, comprising 88,494 girls and 82,618 boys, marking an increase of over 6,000 candidates from the previous year. Of those registered, 165,341 pupils sat for at least one paper, while 5,771 were absent — a number the Ministry says is under serious investigation due to its increase from 2024.
Out of those who sat, 128,766 candidates met or exceeded the official cut-off score of 230, resulting in an overall pass rate of 78.2%. Boys slightly outperformed girls in pass rate percentage — 78.5% for boys compared to 77.9% for girls — but more girls both sat for and passed the exam overall.
Minister Sackey further that the highest score recorded this year was 346 T-score, achieved by Mansaray Kadijah Yawa Joe, a pupil of Dele Nursery & Preparatory School in Wellington.
The International College of Makeni Primary School recorded a 100% pass rate and the highest average aggregate score (332.39). Other top-performing schools include Romans International Academy, Modern Academy School of Excellence, Therenisa Memorial Primary School in Bo, and Shalom Ville Schools.
In total, 4,483 pupils — comprising 2,424 girls and 2,059 boys — scored 300 or above, a rise from the previous year, reflecting what officials describe as growing momentum in foundational education outcomes.
However, the Ministry expressed concern over the rising number of absentees and warned against examination malpractice. “We are tightening monitoring and enforcement. Anyone attempting to cheat will be caught,” a statement from the Ministry said.
Result packages are currently being dispatched to schools. The Ministry has confirmed that a detailed technical analysis, including district-level performance data, will be made available on the MBSSE website next week.
For secondary school admissions, pupils must present both their primary school leaving certificate and an official result slip signed by their head teacher.
Education authorities extended appreciation to teachers, parents, and education officials nationwide for supporting the candidates. Ministerial officials urged students who did not pass to persevere, noting on-going efforts to improve teaching and learning outcomes nationwide.
