The Eastern Cape Department of Education has this morning, welcomed a contingent of 80 correctional Services inmates who have been posted to the department on a goodwill venture.

In a fanfare ceremony held this moring, the Provincial Correctional Commissioner Breakfast announced his services' acceptance of an invitation from the Eastern Cape Departement of Education to come and assist two schools neighboring the Department's head-offices at Zwelitsha, Thembalabantu and Xolani High Schools.

The inmates assistance will assist in undertaking urgently required renovations including:

* Cutting of grass and general landscaping duties at the schools

* Repairing of gutters

* A full coat of paint inside and outside the schools

* Full tiling of all the schools bathrooms

This assistance comes on the heals of the Departments' senior managers' visit to the schools during the Mandela Month activities, and it was on that occasion the Superintendent General Modidima Mannya promised to provide further assistance.

"We are extremely pleased with this partnership with the Correctional Services", Mannya said. "It means that our budget allocation for this important work at schools will now go further and assist more schools change the face of their building because of the savings from labour costs".

The inmates are scheduled to undertake this work over the next two weekends, starting today. Members of the media are welcome to come and witness this important symbiotic experience.

Issued by : Communications Directorate, Eastern Cape Department of Education
Enquiries : Loyiso Pulumani (083 275 0675) / Mali Mtima 082 088 4599