Prison learners have proved education can happen anywhere, with more than 96% passing their matric exams.
While other inmates might have been lazing around inside their dungeons doing nothing, matric learners were busy burning the midnight oil studying hard for their exams.
Out of 171 prisoners who wrote matric at 17 correctional services schools, 104 earned passes good enough for university.
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald praised the results during an awards ceremony at Johannesburg Prison on Friday.
“Matriculants, know you have contributed to the building of the nation. You are contributing to a better nation,” he told the successful inmates.
“You took up the pen to write an exam [and] you were successful. You must also remember that by now you still have to take a pen to make a success of your life when you leave our facilities,” he said.
Thirteen prison schools got perfect 100% pass rates, helping push the overall pass rate up by 3% from last year.
Groenewald told families at the ceremony their support means everything to inmates. He said prison is a lonely place, adding that he’d visited many jails and didn’t think he could last a day inside.
“You must remember there is hope. I’ve spoken to some people who came out of prison and are successful. That National Senior Certificate is your key that is going to open many doors for the future,” he said.
“You can put the key there and if you do nothing, the door stays closed. Instead, use that key to unlock your future and buil a better nation for South Africa.”
The minister also thanked teachers for their work in helping build “an educated nation”.
