KLUANG: “I hope the opportunity to learn how to sew will be useful once I serve my prison sentence,” said 18-year-old inmate ‘Ahmad’ (not his real name).
DEDICATION: Johor education deputy director Markom Giran (third left) accompanied by education officers visit a sewing class at the Kluang Integrity School. — Bernama photo
The teenager, who hails from Sungai Mati, Muar is one of 62 young prisoners given a chance to undergo skills training at the Kluang Prison’s school, Kluang Integrity School.
Serving a jail sentence since a year ago, after he was convicted of rape, Ahmad will not only be allowed to learn a skill but also be given education.
He will sit for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM). The Kluang Integrity School, which was set up in 2008, is one of four such schools nationwide aimed at ensuring young prisoners continue their studies while carrying out their prison sentence.
Ahmad was met by reporters at the prison, following the launch of a skills class by Johor Education Department deputy director Markom Giran recently. Another prisoner, Abdul (not his real name), 20, said sewing was one skill he had longed to learn as he was not academically-inclined.
“I am not fond of academics as none of it makes sense to me, so I would like to focus on sewing,” he said. Abdul, who is serving a sentence for armed robbery, said he would use the skill and open up a business, upon his release from prison.
According to a prison staff, accomodation for young inmates was separate that provided for adult prisoners, until they reached 21.
Meanwhile, Khairunisa Omar, 45, one of nine academic and skills teachers at the school, said those selected to learn sewing would be taught the basics of sewing shirts and trousers. — Bernama