Question NW2044 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
06 July 2022 - NW2044
Dyantyi, Mr QR to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)What total number of correctional centres in the Northern Cape provide education, skills and training to inmates; (2) How big are the classes, especially in larger correctional centres such as (a) Kimberley and (b) Upington; (3) What total number of juveniles (a) are attending and (b) are not attending such classes, particularly in Kimberley and Upington; (4) Whether he has found that there is adequate institutional support for such schools in terms of (a) classes, (b) stationery and (c) learning material; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) Whether there is a functional relationship between the schools and the Department of Basic Education in terms of support; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
- The following correctional centres in Northern Cape provide Education, Skills and Training to sentenced offenders:
- Kimberley Correctional Centre female;
- Tswelopele Correctional Centre;
- Douglas Correctional Centre;
- Upington Correctional Centre;
- Kuruman Correctional Centre and
- Colesburg Correctional Centre offering only skills training.
2. (a) Kimberley and (b) Upington;
The classes are big enough to accommodate the number of learners registered for skills training and also big enough to accommodate female offenders to be taught (4 Classes), AET Level 1-4.
Tswelopele Correctional Centre – There are 08 classes in total and are not sufficient to accommodate AET Level 1-4 and FET (Grades 10-12). Thus, the AET classes rotate eg. AET L3 and L4 go to school on certain days such as Monday and Tuesday and may not go to school on Wednesday and Thursday to make space for Grade 10 -12.
Douglas Correctional Centre – The Classes are extremely small, not big enough to accommodate the total number registered and the Centre is using the platoon system to cater for the needs of the learners.
Kuruman Correctional Centre - has 03 Classes - AET Level 1-3 & Senior Certificate.
Upington Correctional Centre – has 03 Classes - AET level: Pre-AET, Level 4 & Senior Certificate which can accommodate 05 leaners per class.
(3)(a &b)
|
Correctional Centre |
|
|
|
Kimberley Correctional Centre |
07 |
0 |
|
Douglas Correctional Centre |
68 |
0 |
|
Upington Correctional Centre |
All juveniles transferred to Douglas Correctional Centre |
|
|
Kuruman Correctional Centre |
10 |
0 |
(4)(a) Classes are insufficient at Tswelopele, Upington and Kuruman.
(4)(b & c) The Department is participating in contract RT17-2020 which includes the provision of Learner Teacher Support Material and the supply of School Stationery for the period 01 June 2021 to 31 May 2023. All material is purchased and distributed based on needs registered.
Funds for purchasing ICT equipment were made available to all full time schools (in 2020) and AET centres (in 2021) to advance e-learning.
(5) Yes, the Department has is a functional relationship with the Department of Basic Education and Department of Higher Education which can be outlined as follows:
- There is an Implementation Protocol signed on 25 August 2020 between the Department of Higher Education and the Department of Correctional Services for matters that involve Adult Basic Education and Training and Technical Vocational Education and Training; and which remains in force for 3 years (till August 2023).
- Further to this the DBE and DCS have a MOU that regulates the relationship with regard to DCS receiving Grade 12 results on an annual basis.
- The DBE assists the DCS nationally with regard to providing training to Further Education and Training educators on invigilation, curriculum related intervention, school management system (SA-SAMS).
- The DHET also assists with training of DCS educators on matters pertaining to the ABET curriculum and policy matters on the administration of examinations.
- Tswelopele Secondary School - the Department of Basic Education in the Northern Cape provides support as follows:
- In auditing the examination centres;
- Providing relevant School Based Assessments
- Monitoring of examinations;
- Moderate educators portfolio’s and learners;
- Provision of the necessary Curriculum to schools;
- Provision of external examination question papers during exams;
- Appointment of DCS Educators as markers, moderators etc;
- Circuit Managers visit schools regularly to provide guidance and support;
- DCS Educators attend District and Provincial Sessions on a quarterly basis.
END