Hon Deputy
Chairperson, the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa has a total of 46 management areas, housing 243 correctional centres. What becomes ideal is for every offender to leave our facilities with either a certificate or a skill in order to maximise access to employment opportunities or to start their own businesses.
This goes a long way in terms of reducing the risk of reoffending and returning back to our correctional centres. Therefore out of 243 centres, 129 centres offer various skill development programmes, which also include technical vocational education and training, TVET.
These various skills training programmes and TVET college programmes are offered in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training, Sector Education and Training Authorities and the National Skills Fund. In addition, we also have Department of Correctional Services, DCS, qualified officials as well as
accredited service providers, funders through the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority, Sasseta, and the National Skills Fund who offer these programmes.
It should be noted that skills training programmes are offered where resources are available and accredited training is provided if the workplace complies with the industry standards. The same goes for TVET college programmes, which require the availability of qualified technical educators to render TVET college curriculums or subjects.
The number of offenders registrars in the previous financial year 2018-19 was 17 534 and the number of offenders who successfully participated was 17 345. The rate of successful participation was almost 98%. I can give the breakdown as per province to members if they want the breakdown.
Chairperson, I don't know if I have time to deal with the breakdown. [Interjections.] I can give it.