Studying on the death row
Oct 23, 2005
Who can best interpret the saying: ‘pessimists only see the thorns while opportunists see the rose,’ better than Luzira inmates? Some of them are on death row, but have enrolled for studies.
By Irene Nabusoba
Who can best interpret the saying: ‘pessimists only see the thorns while opportunists see the rose,’ better than Luzira inmates? Some of them are on death row, but have enrolled for studies.
The Inmates Schools Services was formalised by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and the Ministry of Education and Sports in 2000, according to the office of the Commissioner of Prisons.
Consequently, UNEB centre numbers; 25/246 for Upper Prison Inmates’ Primary School and U1177 for Upper Prison Secondary School (Hall) Luzira for O’ and A’ levels were officially granted.
Apollo Asinjah, the public relations officer of Uganda Prisons, says the programme is open to all prisoners but they prefer convicts to ensure continuity.
“With convicts, you are sure of the length of their stay. But for those on remand, first of all they will not be settled and anxious about their fate. Besides, the time they are in class could be the same time they are required in court,†says Asinjah.
A total of 670 inmates are currently enrolled in various education programmes including Functional Adult Literacy (FAL). There are 86 inmates under FAL, 370 in primary of whom 125 are condemned; 118 in O’ Level with 30 condemned while 21 of the 66 attending A’ Level face the gallows. Eighty seven inmates are sitting UNEB examinations this year with 30 on the death row.
What motivates them to learn?
“These programmes renew their hope. Even the condemned think they will be pardoned one time. They say it is better to dream than never to dream at all,†says Asinjah.
Asinjah says much of the teaching is done by inmate-teacher volunteers, majority of whom are not qualified teachers although some of them were teachers before being convicted.
A few prison officers, who are qualified teachers as take off time custodial jobs to teach. A few external teachers are occasionally hired.
Asinjah says the prison has a well-stocked library and the prisoners have plenty of time to read during the day because when they are approaching examinations, their work-load is reduced to basically cleaning up.
John Kagambo, a Senior Welfare officer says all of the A’ Level students are doing liberal subjects like Geography, Economics Mathematics and Divinity because they have no science laboratories.
“But the candidates have been prepared well and are ready to do the exams. The inmates will no longer be addressed as prisoners but as candidates with their index numbers,†Kagambo says. However, the institution is faced with a challenge of sustaining post-secondary courses, which can’t be effectively handled by the department because of logistical and human resource constraints although there are individual vocational training for skills acquisition.
“Many of the inmates who have gone through S.6 since 2001 would like to pursue correspondence courses in tertiary institutions and universities. But the main problem has been lack of sponsors for individual applicants for different courses.
“Since the programme’s inauguration, there are several candidates who have passed UNEB exams with the required passes for entry into tertiary and university. In 2002, three out of seven candidates qualified, in 2003, four out of 13, and in 2004, six out of 13 candidates qualified but couldn’t continue,†Kagambo says.
But some of those that sat their UNEB exams at O’ and A’ levels and have since been released, have continued with their education outside
One is reportedly pursuing a diploma at the Law Development Centre (LDC), and another has joined university on government sponsorship after continuing to “A†level on serving his sentence.
Mary Kaddu, the senior assistant commissioner of prisons, says convicts have to enjoy human rights including the right to education.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Minister of Internal Affairs, says they fully support the programme.
“The programme is generally good for the prisoners and the country as a whole.â€
“Education equips them with skills to support themselves afterwards. We are planning a correspondence programme so that those who qualify for tertiary education can continue studying by correspondence,†Rugunda said.
Ends
Who can best interpret the saying: ‘pessimists only see the thorns while opportunists see the rose,’ better than Luzira inmates? Some of them are on death row, but have enrolled for studies.
The Inmates Schools Services was formalised by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and the Ministry of Education and Sports in 2000, according to the office of the Commissioner of Prisons.
Consequently, UNEB centre numbers; 25/246 for Upper Prison Inmates’ Primary School and U1177 for Upper Prison Secondary School (Hall) Luzira for O’ and A’ levels were officially granted.
Apollo Asinjah, the public relations officer of Uganda Prisons, says the programme is open to all prisoners but they prefer convicts to ensure continuity.
“With convicts, you are sure of the length of their stay. But for those on remand, first of all they will not be settled and anxious about their fate. Besides, the time they are in class could be the same time they are required in court,†says Asinjah.
A total of 670 inmates are currently enrolled in various education programmes including Functional Adult Literacy (FAL). There are 86 inmates under FAL, 370 in primary of whom 125 are condemned; 118 in O’ Level with 30 condemned while 21 of the 66 attending A’ Level face the gallows. Eighty seven inmates are sitting UNEB examinations this year with 30 on the death row.
What motivates them to learn?
“These programmes renew their hope. Even the condemned think they will be pardoned one time. They say it is better to dream than never to dream at all,†says Asinjah.
Asinjah says much of the teaching is done by inmate-teacher volunteers, majority of whom are not qualified teachers although some of them were teachers before being convicted.
A few prison officers, who are qualified teachers as take off time custodial jobs to teach. A few external teachers are occasionally hired.
Asinjah says the prison has a well-stocked library and the prisoners have plenty of time to read during the day because when they are approaching examinations, their work-load is reduced to basically cleaning up.
John Kagambo, a Senior Welfare officer says all of the A’ Level students are doing liberal subjects like Geography, Economics Mathematics and Divinity because they have no science laboratories.
“But the candidates have been prepared well and are ready to do the exams. The inmates will no longer be addressed as prisoners but as candidates with their index numbers,†Kagambo says. However, the institution is faced with a challenge of sustaining post-secondary courses, which can’t be effectively handled by the department because of logistical and human resource constraints although there are individual vocational training for skills acquisition.
“Many of the inmates who have gone through S.6 since 2001 would like to pursue correspondence courses in tertiary institutions and universities. But the main problem has been lack of sponsors for individual applicants for different courses.
“Since the programme’s inauguration, there are several candidates who have passed UNEB exams with the required passes for entry into tertiary and university. In 2002, three out of seven candidates qualified, in 2003, four out of 13, and in 2004, six out of 13 candidates qualified but couldn’t continue,†Kagambo says.
But some of those that sat their UNEB exams at O’ and A’ levels and have since been released, have continued with their education outside
One is reportedly pursuing a diploma at the Law Development Centre (LDC), and another has joined university on government sponsorship after continuing to “A†level on serving his sentence.
Mary Kaddu, the senior assistant commissioner of prisons, says convicts have to enjoy human rights including the right to education.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Minister of Internal Affairs, says they fully support the programme.
“The programme is generally good for the prisoners and the country as a whole.â€
“Education equips them with skills to support themselves afterwards. We are planning a correspondence programme so that those who qualify for tertiary education can continue studying by correspondence,†Rugunda said.
Ends