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Young inmates who sat for this year's Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) obtained satisfactory results, Assistant Commissioner (Rehabilitation) of the Correctional Services Department, Mr Lee Sheung, said today (August 4).
A total of 24 young inmates from Pik Uk, Cape Collinson and Lai King correctional institutions took 125 examination papers. They achieved three credits and 52 passes and the pass rate was 44%.
Subjects sat included Mathematics, Chinese Language, English Language, Commerce, Economics, Principles of Accounts, Word Processing and Business Communication, Social Studies, Integrated Humanity, and Travel and Tourism.
Mr Lee said employment was one of the hurdles inmates encountered after release, but with academic qualifications, they stood a better chance of competing for jobs.
"The Correctional Services Department is committed to providing every opportunity for inmates to equip themselves academically and assisting them to attain accredited qualifications. We also work closely with our partners in the community to offer them market-oriented vocational training for their smooth re-integration into the community," he said.
Mr Lee encouraged inmates to keep up their efforts because even though they were in correctional institutions, they had the same opportunities and potential as others to attain good results.
He called on the public to give inmates and rehabilitated offenders equal opportunities and accept their re-integration into society with open hearts.
The department provides half-day compulsory education programmes and half-day vocational training for young offenders under age 2l. Guidance and assistance are in place for adult offenders who participate in studies on a voluntary basis.
Ends/Monday, August 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:31
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