successful Academic Year in 2006
9 October 2006
Correctional Services National Commissioner Linda Mti wishes all student
offenders in the Department's custody another successful academic year as they
start their end-of-year examinations nationally on Tuesday, 10 October
2006.
In a message sent to all studying offenders today Commissioner Mti said, "as
the 2006 academic year is fast coming to an end, I want to express my
appreciation for the efforts that educationists and other relevant role-players
have put in during the 2006 academic year in delivering on the rehabilitation
mandate of the department. I also wish the learners that will engage with the
final examinations every success with their endeavours."
Commissioner Mti said the Department had shown great improvements over the
past few years, excelling in 2005 with the following milestones achieved:
* achieving an average success rate of 62% among grade 12 learners, with the
only Fulltime School in Durban Westville achieving a 100% pass rate in 2004 and
2005
* 6 out of the 10 top achievers in Adult Education in South Africa for 2005
came from Correctional Services with the top performer coming from Modderbee
Management Area
* In North West the Executive Mayor of Central District Municipality Mr Themba
Gwabeni dedicated a donation of R10 000 per year for five years for an offender
that achieved an average of 90% pass rate in his Adult Basic Education and
Training (ABET) Level 4 examinations. This is an example of excellence we are
achieving.
He said these were indeed achievements the department takes pride in and
called on all role-players to "continue with the good work and even better on
the achievements of the previous academic year" in 2006.
"Learners, I am sure the educationists and other correctional officials and
external partners have created the climate for learning. I am confident that it
has included a set of cognitive skills and learning behaviours which you can
use to make learning more efficient and decision-making as well as
problem-solving more effective", Commissioner Mti said.
He said the department has created an environment for the transfer of skills
and behaviours from within the classroom to the examination room and to other
aspects of the day to day life experience of offenders while incarcerated. He
added that "any examination is characterised by anxiety and stress by
candidates. That is understandable."
"However, the best way to deal with the emotions and pressure that you are
going through is to ensure that you are well prepared. I appeal to you to
remain calm and resolute in your quest for personal development. May you see
your achievements in your current level as the key to unlocking the doors to
further study opportunities."
The Commissioner also expressed his gratitude to the families and friends of
offenders who have encouraged and supported them in their studies. He said: "I
trust that offences you committed were once-off life mistakes for which you are
paying by being incarcerated."
In encouraging student offenders, their educationists and correctional
officials Commissioner Mti cited the General Secretary of the United Nations
Kofi Annan who celebrated the power of education by saying, "education is the
single most vital element in combating poverty, empowering women, protecting
children from hazardous and exploitative labour and sexual exploitation,
promoting human rights and democracy, protecting the environment and
influencing population growth." Paraphrasing Annan, Commissioner Mti said:
"education is a path towards safety and security for all including the
vulnerable sectors of society like women, children and the elderly."
Education is one of a series of interventions of Correctional Services aimed
at providing services and programmes that will contribute to the development of
offenders and addressing the correcting of offending behaviour. Education is
currently presented to approximately 13 000 offenders in Adult Basic Education,
8 381 in Further Education and Training and 600 in Higher Education and
Training.
Alongside the development oriented interventions, the Department is also
implementing programmes aimed at correcting the offending behaviour like
courses on HIV and AIDS, sexual offending, aggression management and
pre-release programmes to prepare offenders for successful social
re-integration.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Tel: (012) 305 8204/5
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
9 October 2006
Source: SAPA
