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Young inmates who sat for this year's Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination obtained satisfactory results, Assistant Commissioner (Rehabilitation) of the Correctional Services Department, Mr Yau Chi-chiu, said today (August 8).
A total of 38 young inmates took 158 examination papers. For Chinese Language and English Language papers, 57% and 41% of the inmates attained Level 2 or above respectively. They achieved six credits and 54 passes in other subjects and the pass rate was 55%.
The young inmates came from Pik Uk, Cape Collinson and Tai Tam Gap correctional institutions.
They sat for 23 examination subjects, including Mathematics, Chinese Language, English Language, Commerce, Economics, Principles of Accounts, Word Processing and Business Communication, Chinese History, Putonghua, Computer and Information Technology, as well as Travel and Tourism.
Mr Yau 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 Yau 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/Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:30
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