Inmate Class of 2015 improves matric results by 4%
Correctional Services National Commissioner, Zach Modise, says the Inmate Class of 2015 has improved the matric results by 4%, to reach an overall pass rate of 73% compared to the 2014 results.
Announcing the matric results today, 6 January 2016, in Pretoria, National Commissioner Modise said, the Inmate Class of 2015 also registered a series of improvements, which included:
- The increase of bachelor passes for University admission from 18 to 33;
- The numbers of inmates passing Mathematics improved from 0 in 2014 to 14 in 2015, and all others who passed completed Mathematical Literacy subject;
- Two additional fulltime schools for offenders, Tswelopele in the Free State Northern Cape region as well as Brandvlei in Western Cape wrote the matriculation examinations, achieving 92% and 67% pass rates respectively;
- The Cradock offenders’ school turn-around by achieving a 60% pass rate after a consecutive 0% pass rate over four years; and
- The total number of distinction obtained also increased by 25%, from 24 in 2014 to 30 in 2015, 19 of which are in Life Orientation, that itself assist in the rehabilitation of offenders.
The National Commissioner said the top three performing schools are: Tswelopele Secondary School in the Free State Northern Cape region with 91.67%, followed by the oldest full time offenders’ school Usethubeni Youth School in Durban Westville in KwaZulu-Natal with 86.21%, and Umlalati Learning Centre in the Limpopo-Mpumalanga and Northwest Region with 85.71%.
The top three inmate achievers came from various correctional centre schools. They are:
1. Sihle Ngonyama of Usethubeni Youth School in Durban Westville in KwaZulu Natal who obtained 74.1%;
2. Simon Diseko of Umlalati Learning Centre in Barberton Youth Centre in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West region who obtained 72.5%; and
3. Mthetho Ntoyakhe of Brandvlei Youth Centre in the Western Cape who obtained 71.6%.
National Commissioner Modise said: “The improved results are a testimony to the continued efforts of the Department of Correctional Services to centralize education and skills development in the rehabilitation of offenders. This is a contribution to the national goals outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) that include educating the nation for a prosperous and crime free society.”
The National Commissioner said the matriculation results for the Inmate Class of 2015, demonstrated positive outcomes of various interventions aimed at strengthening the Department and the country’s education system for a better life for all.
He said: “We have begun to address the concerns expressed by Minister Michael Masutha about poor levels of offender participation in Mathematics and Physical Science studies. Compared to a zero percent pass rate in Mathematics in 2014, we registered 14 passes in 2015 out of 29 candidates that wrote the Mathematics examinations.”
- National Commissioner Modise further stated that the positive outcomes were products of various intervention instituted by the Department during the 2015 academic year, which included:
- Teacher development in Mathematics, Physical Science and computer studies through training and provision of access to information and communication technologies, such as computers in all DCS fulltime schools;
- Partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), which provided support in the form of teacher training and the introduction of the South African Schools Administration and Management System (SA – SAMS). The SAMS, enabled the Department of Correctional Services to track on a real-time basis all educational operations across the country including absenteeism rate and individual school performance in respect of the coverage of the syllabus. These together helped in ensuring speedy curriculum related interventions.
- The contribution of internal stakeholders who were part of a five-day education workshop for all Heads of Correctional Centres with fulltime schools, where common challenges were flagged and solutions sought collectively. Benefits of The improved understanding of the role of education in rehabilitation by the correctional centre management included the establishment of dedicated units for accommodating offenders who are participating in various educational programmes which is managed by a dedicated Unit Manager assigned to each such unit.
The National Commissioner said: “slowly but surely, the education system for inmates continues to grow from strength to strength with efficiency levels improving progressively. I express my gratitude also to educators of the Department that spared no effort in working to bring better educational outcomes. The fact that these educators ran extra classes on Saturdays and Sundays, mobilized additional support from retired teachers and volunteers from surrounding public schools is an inspiration to us all. This proves that with passion and the will to succeed, all things are possible.”
National Commissioner Modise said although numbers of offenders writing matriculation examinations continued to improve, efforts to increase access to education and training opportunities for all offenders, will be multiplied to be able to reach all deserving and qualifying offenders. He also called for continued emphasis on the quality of teaching and learning across all levels of offender education. He urged the management and staff to also step up partnerships to ensure continued education and training of offenders beyond matric in order to produce qualified inmates that are sought after by the growing industries and the job market, and thereby assisting in the rehabilitation and social reintegration of offenders into society
Enquiries & media interviews:
Dr Joey CoetzeeActing Chief Deputy Commissioner of Incarceration and Corrections
Cell: 0829081946
OR
Manelisi Wolela
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 076062218
