The 2020 matric class for inmates in correctional facilities across the country has achieved a record-breaking pass rate of 86.3%.
In 2019, full-time matriculants at the facilities recorded an 82.6% pass rate. Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, announced the 2020 matric results at the Leeuwkop Correctional Centre in Bryanston, north of Johannesburg.
Despite all the challenges that came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 matric class of inmates, managed to conquer the odds and obtain a record breaking 86.3 % rate. In 2018, they obtained a 77.3% pass rate and in 2019, recorded a pass rate of 82.6%.
Minister Lamola says he is extremely proud of the class of 2020’s achievements.
“For the 2020 academic year, DCS full time learners achieved a pass percentage of 86.3%. When inclusive of part-time learners, DCS is standing at 81,3 pass rate. This is higher than the national average of 76.2 percentage, it is also higher than the highest provincial percentage of 85.1 attained by the Free State,” he says.
Lamola announced that the learners who are currently behind bars, also obtained almost 80 distinctions and Bachelor’s Passes.
“Our learners also obtained a total of 76 distinctions and we also produced 78 Bachelor’s Passes, which is a minimum requirement for admission to a Bachelor’s Degree. Our best performing learner is Lwazi Chamane from Usethubeni Youth under Durban Management Area in Kwa-Zulu Natal with an average of 80.6% and four distinctions on IsiZulu, Life Orientation, History and Tourism respectively,” he said.
Chamane says it was an extremely tough year completing his matric behind bars. However, together with the help from his teacher and classmates, he managed to excel.
“We worked hard because we worked as a group, we worked as a team. I just became the number 1, something I never even thought was going to happen because I didn’t even trust my potential. But miss Mkhize always trusted me and said you are going to be number 1,” he explains.
Chamane says he would love to pursue a tertiary education in life sciences if he gets financial support.
Minister Lamola announces the results:
