Offenders receive National Senior Certificates

The Department of Correctional Services’ facility, Umlalati Learning Centre, has performed well again during the 2014 National Senior Certificate exam.

Announcing the results, Sharon Kunene, DCS acting regional commissioner said Umlalati achieved a remarkable 83,63 per cent pass rate. In 2013, it had received a 100 per cent pass rate.
For its 2014 achievement, Umlalati shared second place with St Albans School of Port Elizabeth. Six offenders sat for their final examinations and five passed.

Another 11 matriculants sat at the Barberton Maximum Correctional Centre called Vuselela Learning Centre.
Only ten passed. Vuselela’s pass rate improved from 57 per cent to 57 per cent. Umlalati’s achievement came despite the learners not having siSwati and isiZulu teachers for most part of the academical year.

Michael Dube (32) and Sampie Lucky Ncongwane (31), both of Vuselela, were the top learners.
Dube achieved 72 per cent in IsiZulu, English first additional language (62 per cent), mathematical literacy (74), life orientation (85 per cent), business studies (41), geography (62) and life sciences (63).

Ncongwane achieved 72 per cent in siSwati home language, English first additional language (66 per cent), mathematical literacy (42), life orientation (87), business studies (53), geography (61) and life sciences (48).

Parents and relatives of the offenders were present to celebrate with them. Kunene said being incarcerated did not stand in the way of the offenders reaping what they had sown. “We congratulate our offenders for obtaining good matric results as they hold the key to their bright future. We know it was not easy but you manage to pass with flying colours.

The offenders at Umlalati also didn’t let the tragic fire incident which occurred on the night of October 25, 2014 to stand in their way, instead they concentrated on their books for better results,” she said.