JONATHAN JANSEN: Prisons are like schools, except your chance of passing matric may be better
The pass mark for criminals is 77.3%, which is higher than the average pass rate for four of the nine provinces
It is true. There are 183 inmates from 13 schools ready to write the 2019 national senior certificate (NSC) examinations. These prisoners set the bar high. Oops, wrong word. They are behind bars. But you know what I mean — these are smart inmates. The pass mark for criminals was 77.3% in 2018. That’s higher than the average pass rate for four of the nine provinces among those who remain uncaptured.
Perhaps this is the solution to the low pass rates in SA schools. Lock up the kids. Wait, before you dismiss the idea, think of the many advantages. There is little by way of distraction like computer games or cellphones or 24-hour television. It is hard to lose a book taken from the prison library and your card surely cannot expire before you do, unless a tattooed chap called Spyker gets to you first...
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