Approximately 20 prisoners from the Krugersdorp Correctional Services were let out of the facility for the day in order to visit the Toekomsrus Secondy School on 23 January.
The prisoners in question are eligible for parole and were released to assist in the mayor’ clean-up campaign at the school where classes were painted and the premises revamped for this academic year.
According to Randfontein Executive Mayor Sylvia Thebenare, this comes after the school achieved an 80 per cent pass rate for the first time in years.
“This school is one of the many schools that have done us proud here in Randfontein and credit needs to be given where it’s due,” says Thebenare.
“Over the years, we’ve had people look down on our schools owing to the drug problems and other social ills in this community and we need to get rid of the stigma.
“People need to know that good things can come out of our communities and that our local schools also can produce good results.
“This was evident in the matric pass rate,” says Thebenare.
According to her, people need to recognise the hard work that goes into passing matric and give support to schools where necessary.
“We really needed to motivate the learners to keep up their good work and they need to know that they have our support,” says Thebenare.
She adds that in line with their efforts, learners were given school bags and the girls were given sanitary towels.