By Rahim Abdul
All inmates at Mzuzu Prison who sat for this year’s Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations have passed, according to results released by the Malawi Prison Service.
Mzuzu Prison emerged as the best-performing correctional facility among those listed in the results, with one inmate obtaining an impressive 14 points.
According to the released results, Mzimba Prison followed, with its best-performing inmate scoring 16 points.
The results have highlighted the importance of providing inmates with access to education as part of efforts to rehabilitate and prepare them for life after prison.
Prison affairs publicist Steve Meke said the impressive performance was a result of the commitment shown by the Malawi Prison Service (MPS) and other organisations towards the rehabilitation and transformation of inmates.
Meke said the authorities and their partners have continued to recognise education as an important tool in helping inmates acquire knowledge and skills that can benefit them beyond their prison sentences.
He said the performance demonstrates that inmates can achieve positive results when they are given opportunities and adequate support to pursue their education while serving their sentences.
The development has also renewed discussions on the role of education in correctional facilities, particularly in helping inmates reform and successfully reintegrate into society.
Meanwhile, Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) executive director Victor Mhango has commended the Malawi Prison Service for supporting inmates who have a strong interest in education.
Mhango said inmates should be given opportunities to access education because learning can play a significant role in changing their lives and improving their prospects after release.
He also praised organisations that have been supporting education programmes in prisons, saying continued cooperation between the Malawi Prison Service and its partners could provide more inmates with opportunities to pursue their studies.
