Press Release

Young inmates obtain satisfactory HKCEE results

     Young inmates obtained satisfactory results in this year's Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), Assistant Commissioner (Rehabilitation) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD), Mr Lee Sheung, said today (August 4).

     A total of 26 young inmates from Pik Uk, Cape Collinson and Lai King correctional institutions took 142 examination papers in the HKCEE 2010. They achieved two distinctions, 17 credits and 87 passes and the pass rate was 74.6%.

     Main subjects included Chinese language, English language, mathematics, commerce, economics, travel and tourism, word processing and business communication (English), and principles of accounts.

     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.

     "Family support has contributed to inmates' good results and is vital in their process of rehabilitation," he stressed. 

     "The CSD 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. As HKCEE 2010 was conducted for the last cohort of school candidates, we have commenced implementing the New Senior Secondary Education curriculum in the young offender correctional institutions to help inmates prepare for the Diploma of Secondary Education Examination in 2012 and after," he said.

     Mr Lee encouraged inmates to keep up their efforts, because although they were in correctional institutions, they had the same opportunities and potential as others in attaining good results. 

     He also 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 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:36

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Ten young inmates of Cape Collinson Correctional Institution took the HKCEE this year. Picture shows the superintendent of the institution, Mr Tse Ho-yin, encouraging an inmate to keep up his good work and pursue continuous learning.