Matriculants of the schools of the Department of Correctional Services (DSC) are fully
prepared for the upcoming National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations from
21 October to 27 November. A total of 173 inmates will sit for these exams, nationally.
The DCS is pleased
with the level of preparedness, as inmates have completed the academic syllabus
on time and have undergone various assessments throughout the year, the
department stated in a media release.
Teachers of DCS’s 18 schools remain optimistic, having made
significant efforts to ensure candidates are thoroughly prepared. Additionally,
it was ensured that all required textbooks and stationery were delivered to
schools in a timely manner.
National commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, has
praised the teachers for their dedication and hard work in preparing the
inmates for this important milestone.
“Education not only empowers offenders with knowledge but
also offers them a path to a new life. It remains our commitment to provide
growth and development opportunities for every inmate, as we believe in the
power of education to transform lives,” he said.
Formal education plays a crucial role in rehabilitating
offenders while in correctional centres.
In collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, DCS
has consistently produced strong academic results, often exceeding the national
pass rate. In 2023, DCS schools achieved a 93% overall pass rate, with nine
schools attaining a 100% pass rate.
DCS attributes these results to the conducive learning
environment it fosters within correctional centres, as well as its commitment
to providing offenders with education and skills that will help them
reintegrate into society after their release.
“We encourage all matriculants in our schools to seize this
opportunity as part of their personal development journey,” Thobakgale
concluded.
