Mutare Polytechnic Diplomas to Mutare Farm Prison inmates in tandem with SADC objectives
By Elizabeth Kucherera
Mutare Polytechnic has adopted the SADC policy of supporting the socially disadvantaged by giving them a leg up in life.
Tbe regional body’s committee for Corrections and Prison Services is advocating for prison services to move beyond custodial entities to focus more on rehabilitation and reintegration of offendors into mainstream society.
This was seen at Mutare Farm Prison last week when Terrence Masiiwa (pictured in yellow trousers), an inmate of Mutare Farm Prison and 21 others graduated from Mutare Polytechnic.
The development comes as the Second Republic continues to make huge strides in education sector through “leaving no one behind” mantra and making concerted efforts in training of youths for the informal sector through the establishment of Intergrated Skills Expansion Outreach Program (ISEOP).
Dr Stefan Chabwera, the vice-principal for Mutare Polytechnic said: “With skills empowerment, trainees will be able to start and manage self-help projects in comfort of their environment.
“The courses under this program (ISEOP) were in various fields such as Electrical installation, Professional cookery, Clothing,cutting and designing, Plumbing, Building,Eco-tourism, just to mention a few.”
Masiiwa, an inmate at Mutare Farm Prison graduated with diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship.
Masiiwa is serving a 10-year sentence for theft of communication cables and is due out in 2028.
“It was indeed heart-warming to note the nature of progressive endeavors that are being undertaken here. Manicaland province is on course to not only become the best correctional service provider in the country and beyond but also actively contribute towards the attainment of an upper middle economy by 2030 as stated in the country’s National Agenda, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
