Question NW1366 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Service
28 May 2018 - NW1366
Mulaudzi, Adv TE to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Service
(1)Does his department offer Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) at Medium C Johannesburg Correctional Services Centre; (2) Did his department receive applications from certain persons (names and details furnished) to register for ABET; if not, what steps must be taken for the specified persons to receive ABET; if so, why has the specified person’s request been ignored?
Reply:
It should be noted that the most widely used term for literacy and compensatory education for adults was adult basic education and training (ABET) and was defined as the general conceptual foundation towards lifelong learning and development.
After 2000 the term changed to Adult Education and Training (AET) and word “ basic” was removed altogether as AET led to a qualification called General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) with exit level of AET Level 4 which is equivalent to Grade 9. Correctional Services is offering AET and not ABET.
1. No, Johannesburg Correctional Centre C does not offer ABET programme.
2. (a) Prisoner number 210294827- No application received.
(b) Prisoner number 207140220- no application received.
(c) Prisoner number 212291898- No application received.
As standard procedure all offenders go through an assessment to determine if they are eligible to participate in educational programmes. If they are found eligible then offenders are given an opportunity to apply and participate, as the educational programmes are voluntary.
The three offenders were assessed on 01 December 2017 and were found eligible. They were then expected to make applications in this regard in order to receive AET. I am informed there were no applications received from offenders.