The Career Information Sharing Session that was held for offenders by the department of Higher Education and Training, in partnership with the department of Correctional Services in Barberton, left offenders more optimistic that there is life after incarceration.

The session was held on May 29, as a flagship project of the department of Higher Education and Training, aimed at promoting access to career information, advice and career development services amongst all South Africans, youth in particular.

The outreach was attended by more than 1 000 offenders from Barberton Juvenile Correctional Centre and Medium B Formal School. These offenders enrolled for skills training, Adult Education and Training (AET), Further Education and Training (FET), and others are already corresponding with institutions of higher learning.

The focus of the information session was on career choice, subject choice, available post-school learning options and study opportunities, funding, learnerships, internships and employability after serving sentence.

Ntombela Musa (20), who is serving his sentence at Juvenile Correctional Centre, described the session as a new beginning to his future. “I was starting to give up in life, I thought it is over about me but this session brought hope to my life.  From today, I am going to make sure that every second I spend behind bars is used effectively,” Ntombela said.

Offenders enrolled with institutions of higher learning used the platform to request the department of Higher Education to allocate funds which will assist them in furthering their studies to PHD level. Offenders who are doing post-matric qualifications get assistance from NSFAS and family members.

Mduduzi Singwane (38) is one amongst many offenders who came to Correctional Services without matric, but driven by the passion for law, Singwane attended Vuselela Learning Centre (Juvenile Correctional Centre) until he acquired a senior certificate.

This gave him an opportunity to further his studies and graduated with Masters in Law. Singwane was funded by NSFAS and Family members for Master’s degree.“I want to enrol for PHD but I could not register this year because my family cannot afford my tuition anymore and NSFAS do not fund postgraduates” Singwane said.

The department continues to encourage offenders to further their studies beyond matric as this plays a critical role in rehabilitation. The Educationists employed by the department of Correctional Services provides academic support to offenders who are furthering their studies.

In 2015 to 2017, 15 offenders graduated on different qualifications ranging from diplomas to Masters degrees. For 2017/2018 financial year Barberton Correctional Facilities is sitting at more than 50 offenders registered for post-matric qualifications.

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services