The matric pass rate for inmates in 2017 is 76.7%. This is a 4.6% increase from the 2016 pass rate which was. It is also the third time in a row that the Department of Correctional Services surpasses the 70% national average pass threshold.
The national pass rate for 2017 is 76.5% excluding progressed students and 75.1% including them. Two hundred and thirty three inmates sat for the matric exams.
Acting National Commissioner of Correctional Services, James Smalberger says the achievement is due to the strong work ethic, resilience and dedication of both educators and inmates.
“Education is not the only avenue towards recovering and protecting one’s dignity in a correctional facility, but it is a major one. Further to that, it offers a modicum of the authority required of a person for self-creation,” says James Smalberger.
The inmates received 48 bachelors, 55 Diplomas and 39 higher certificates.
The best performing inmate is Samkelo Mpofana from Usethubeni Youth Centre at the Durban Westville Correctional Centre. He achieved five distinctions in IsiZulu, English, Life Orientation, History and Tourism.
The other best performing inmates Senzo Fundzo and Sicelo Chili obtained three distinctions each. They too are from Usethubeni Youth Centre.
The top achiever in Mathematics and Physical Sciences is Shiba Ndumiso Brightman from Ekuseni Correctional Centre in Newcastle. This is a new school which had matric examinations for the first time in 2017.
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