High hopes for matric pass rate of inmates

There has been an increase in enrolments in maths and physical science

THERE are high hopes for the inmate class of 2017 to better their predecessors matric pass rate of 72.1%, as they prepare for their final exams.

A total of 211 inmates from 14 schools in the Department of Correctional Services will sit for the final exams, a 63.5% increase from the 129 in 2016.

The department’s acting national commissioner, James Smalberger, said: “The notable increase in the number of inmates enrolling for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations yearon-year demonstrates our rehabilitation efforts through formal education, so that we can increase literacy levels of inmates, thus giving them a second chance in life.”

Working together with the Basic Education Department, he assured the public that the department’s 14 accredited centres would run a credible examination process.

In addition to the resident invigilators appointed by Basic Education, there will be strict monitoring and impromptu visits to all centres.

The department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said the department was satisfied with the level of preparations and has given necessary support to inmates for them to achieve the best results.

There has also been an increase in enrolments in subjects like maths, accounting and physical science.

The department carried out special assistance programmes for maths and English, as these subjects proved to be problematic in previous years. Nxumalo said the class of 2015 achieved a 72.9% pass rate, the class of 2014 achieved 58.9%, the 2013 class achieved 58.8%, the 2012 class achieved 79.3% and the 2011 class had a pass rate of 68.1%.

Education and skills development are at the forefront of rehabilitation programmes, Nxumalo said.

This is evident by the 10 526 offenders attending educational programmes in the current financial year.