Educational Challenges Facing Prisoners at Kutama-Sinthumule
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Educational challenges facing prisoners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre: A case study of grade twelve (12) young adult learners. by Nkarhi Excellent Mathebula Mini-dissertation submitted in partial fulfillmentof the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION in (Adult Education) in the Faculty of Humanities School of Education at the University of Limpopo South Africa. Supervisor: Dr H.D Mabasa 2014 DEDICATION This mini-dissertation is dedicated to all grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama- Sinthumule Correctional Centre. i DECLARATION I, Mathebula Nkarhi Excellent declare that the mini-dissertation hereby submitted to the University of Limpopo, for the degree of Masters in Adult Education has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other University; that it is my work in design and in execution, and that all material contained herein has been duly acknowledged. __________________________________ _________________________ Nkarhi Excellent Mathebula Date ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My sincere thanks are extended to the following: Thanks to God Almighty who has been with me throughout this journey. Tsakani, my wife, her undying support cannot go unnoticed; she encouraged and supported me when it was not easy. Aubrey Madisha, my friend for helping me to put my work together through his computer skills. Dr. Hlulani Mabasa, my supervisor, for his guidance and the courage he always gave me. He committed himself to support me even when he was no longer with the Department of Community and Continuing Education. Mr. Joe Kubayi, for the good editorial work of this mini-dissertation. My mother, father, brother and sisters and all my relatives for always giving me support. Pastor M.P Sadiki, for always reminding me that I shall complete even if it is difficult. All grade twelve prison learners who participated in this research project. All Correctional Centre educators who participated in this research project. iii SUMMARY OF THE STUDY This mini-dissertation is about educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult prisoners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. It is a study of grade twelve (12) learners. The aim of the study is to get an insight into educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama- Sinthumule Correctional Centre. This study has attempted to contribute towards solutions to educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The management of Kutama-Sinthumule and the Department of Correctional Services were made aware of the problems that young adult prisoners face while doing grade twelve (12) in that prison. In order to achieve the aims outlined above, I formulated the following main research question: What are the educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult Prisoners at Kutama- Sinthumule Correctional Centre? I tried to answer the question outlined above by undertaking an explorative study which has elements of needs assessment and case study. I have decided to undertake an explorative study because very little is known about educational challenges facing prisoners prior to this research. Since the study has elements of needs assessment, the situation of grade twelve (12) young adult prisoners and values of an education system with desired outcomes was looked against. The needs are stated by grade twelve (12) learners; their educators; their facilitators; and the coordinator of the programme in relation to the system. I have decided to select grade twelve (12) learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre as my case. There are other educational programmes at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre, but I have decided to concentrate on a grade twelve programme. I have decided to undertake a case study because a case study promotes a better understanding of a practice or issue and facilitates informed decision making. Chapter two outlines the theoretical framework of the study. I began chapter two by defining important concepts. The concepts such as Prisoner; Prison; and Young Adult are defined thoroughly. I formulated assumptions about what could be educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. I read documents and conducted exploratory interviews with grade twelve learners, educators and other role players at Kutama-Sinthumule, hence I identified the following educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) learners at the Correctional Centre: lack of access to the internet; lack of resources; lack of motivation; communicating in the medium of instruction; iv shortage of better trained staff; overcrowded classrooms; insufficient study time; duration of the programme; shortage of staff; and insufficient time allocated to lessons. In chapter three, I describe the design of the study. The main focus of this chapter was to discuss the two routes of data collection. The first route had to do with reviewing relevant documents from the Department of Correctional Services and operational policies and procedures at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The second route has to do with the data that has been collected in the field using different data collection instruments. How data has been analyzed using a data matrix is also shown in this chapter. The chapter concludes by presenting ethical considerations. Chapter four begins by highlighting the setting of the study. It goes on to describe the town of Louis Trichardt where Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre is situated. It further gives a brief history of the town. The Climate, Geography, Demography, Population, Key Statistics, Name change, and Economy are outlined in this chapter. This chapter also presents the findings of the study. I have also outlined in detail the views of the interviewees in relation to the critical factors of this study. A description of subjects offered for this grade twelve programme is done in this chapter. The chapter concludes by discussing the findings of this study. Chapter five presents the final recommendations, conclusion, and reflections of this study. This chapter harmonizes information from all the previous chapters in discussing educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult prisoners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The chapter also suggests possible solutions to these educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The chapter concludes by making recommendations for further study, as education and its related challenges in the prisons seems to be under-researched, particularly for grade twelve (12) young adult learners. v ACRONYMS ADMAX - Administrative Maximum Security ANC - African National Congress CD’s - Compact Disks CNE - Christian National Education DCS - Department of Correctional Services DoE - Department of Education FLED - Full License Eligibility Dates KSCC - Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre LTT - Louis Trichardt LP - Limpopo Province NP - National Party NYC - National Youth Commission OBE - Outcomes Based Education POW - Prisoners Of War ROTL - Release On Temporary License SHU - Special Housing Units S.A - South Africa SACM - South African Custodial Management SAGNC - South African Geographical Names Council SANYP - South African National Youth Policy SCA - Supreme Court of Appeal YALSALA - Young Adult Library Services of the American Library Association vi LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Example of data matrix used in this study 32 Table 2: Key Statistics 38 Table 3: Key Statistics 38 Table 4: Population groupings 39 vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication ................................................................................................................................... …i Declaration ................................................................................................................................... ....ii Preface and acknowledgements .................................................................................................... …iii Summary of the study ................................................................................................................... …iv List of acronyms ........................................................................................................................... …vi Tables ........................................................................................................................................... …vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 1. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... ...1 1.2 Education system in South Africa ………………….. ..................................................... ...1 1.2.1 Structure and Politics ....................................................................................................... ...2 1.2.2 History of education in South Africa ............................................................................... ...2 1.2.2.1 Colonial Education………………………………………………………………..………2 1.2.2.2 Education in the 20th Century…………………………….................................................3 1.2.2.3 Education after 1994 to date ...........................................................................................