Forty-two inmates from the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre graduated from the High School Diploma Equivalency Programme ( HSDE), on Tuesday December 3, 2019. The HSDE programme is a literacy programme designed to support the adult learner to achieve his or her personal, academic and professional goals. The programme began in the Department of Correctional Services over two years ago through a collaboration with the Jamaica Foundation for Life Long Learning.
Guest Speaker for the event Senator Kerensia Morrison applauded the inmates for their hard work and encouraged them to continue excelling. “To the inmates graduating today; be proud of yourself. You have worked hard and you deserve your recognition. Let me be the first to say ‘ big up unnuh self’. Continue to learn and to grow as long as there is life there is hope and I know all of you have a lot to contribute to society so continue to strive for excellence.”
An elated graduated praised the programme for providing him with the opportunity to acquire CXC subjects ” Deciding to go back to school was the best decision I made since coming to Tower Street, because of this programme with HEART, I now have 5 CXC subjects all ones and two. I just want to thank everyone who made this programme possible. Thank you for giving us a second chance to be better men.”
The HSDE Programme is one of the many educational opportunities offered to inmates by the Department with the aim of improving their literacy and numeracy skills to facilitate their successful reintegration into society.
The HSDE Programme is comprised of eleven modules offered over three distinct levels (basic, intermediate and proficiency levels).
One hundred and seventy-one inmates (171) from the Tower Street, South Camp and St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centres participated in the programme.
