The National Commissioner (NC) of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Makgothi Thobakgale conducted a monitoring visit to uSethubeni School in Durban on 28 October 2024, to ensure the smooth running of Grade 12 offender learners’ final examinations.
National Commissioner Thobakgale delivered a motivational talk to 26 inmates (twenty-five sentenced offenders and one remand detainee) before they started writing their English Paper 1 examination. “Matric is seen as a passage to success in life. If you were able to do what is wrong, it cannot be impossible for you to do what is right. You have been given this opportunity, grab it with both hands. We are here to encourage and congratulate you for making it this far. For you to get here, it means you have passed the lower grades, and now is time to finish school with flying colours. The future is bright for you because there are still more opportunities beyond matric,” NC Thobakgale urged the class of 2024.
The National Commissioner said DCS is working tirelessly to improve on the overall 93% pass rate obtained in 2023. “With 18 schools across the country, nine schools recorded a 100% pass rate last year. This year, we expect to do better. We are optimistic that the 173 learners sitting for the 2024 examinations will surpass last year’s results,” he boldly predicted.
NC Thobakgale also applauded the educators and other officials for their valuable contribution in ensuring that learners are well equipped and given the necessary support to thrive in their studies. “We are measured by the standard of matriculants we produce as a country and internationally. The fact that inmates are able to write their matric examinations in a correctional facility and do well, is something we must applaud. You have worked so hard throughout the year and know the struggle of each learner. This special category contributes to the overall matric results of the country,” remarked National Commissioner.
As they say, “matriek is nie matras nie”, uSethubeni matriculants dedicated the entire year to their school work by sacrificing their afternoons, weekends and holidays.
Proud school Principal, Mzwandile Nhlumayo said uSethubeni has obtained 100% pass rate from 2016 to date, and is the current best correctional school in the Department. In order to maintain their proud record, he indicated that rigorous preparations for this year commenced in earnest from the beginning of the year. “We started with the preparations from February 2024, with extras classes during the week from 15h00 to 17h00 as well as additional lessons on weekends and during school holidays. In 2023, we obtained 100% with Bachelors and we are planning to improve this year,” a confident Nhlumayo said.
The school offers support to learners by inviting ex-offenders who completed matric behind bars to motivate them to strive for top accolades. Learners are also provided with spiritual support through the local Chaplain, to empower them to cope with matric pressure. Teachers also provide study tips to the learners, including how to conduct themselves during exams, how to read and understand instructions, and to answer questions correctly.
After completing their matric, offender learners may further their education by registering with the University of South Africa on a part-time basis, whilst others who are released have the liberty to further their studies with other academic institutions on a full-time basis. The school has produced graduates in Education; Law; Economics; just to mention a few.
Matric examinations commenced on 21 October and will conclude on 24 November 2024.