By Kelfala Kargbo
Freetown, 5th November 2026 – Parliament has unanimously banned all “sign-out” activities in schools and higher institutions across Sierra Leone, bringing an abrupt end to one of the country’s most popular student traditions.
The ban followed a motion moved by the Acting Leader of Government Business and Majority Leader, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, and supported by the whole House.
“We all know today that in our schools and higher institutions we have what is called sign-outs. I want to move, Mr. Speaker, honourable members, that we ban all sign-out activities in schools and colleges,” Hon. Silikie told Parliament.
Sign-out is a new trend among pupils and students in Sierra Leone. It is usually hosted on the last day of final exams, when final-year students invite friends and relatives to campus to celebrate the end of their exams. Relatives often come bearing gifts, flowers, cash and cakes, while students dress up, sign each other’s shirts and take photos to mark the moment.
In recent years the celebrations have grown bigger, louder and more elaborate – spilling out of school compounds and onto the streets of Freetown and other towns.
During the debate, the Opposition Whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, clarified that the celebrations are not organised by the institutions themselves.
“It is done by individual students who think today is my last day of taking these exams, and I desire to invite my relatives to come. They are paying nothing to the schools, nor do they pay anything to the institution,” Hon. Kamara said.
His clarification did not stop the motion. MPs voted unanimously in favour of the ban.
Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepo Solomon Thomas, has instructed the Clerk to formally inform both education ministries to enforce the decision.
“We will pass the motion, and we will get the ministries to be informed accordingly. Both the Ministry of Basic Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, both of them will be informed accordingly,” Hon. Thomas directed.
The directive means school heads, principals and college administrators are now expected to stop any sign-out gathering on school premises, while parents and students who go ahead with the celebrations risk facing sanctions.
The decision is set to spark debate among students and parents who see sign-out as a harmless rite of passage, and those who believe the celebrations have gone too far.
