The Effects of Adult Education Programmes on Offenders: A Case Study of Thohoyandou Correctional Centre

  • Nkarhi Excellent Mathebula University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo,  South Africa
  • Mohammed Xolile Ntshangase University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo,  South Africa
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51169/ideguru.v11i2.2564

Abstract

Correctional​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ adult education programmes have been widely acknowledged as fundamental tools that lead to the ultimate goals of rehabilitation, reintegration, and recidivism reduction. However, the question of how effective they are, and the experiences of inmates in adult learning in South African correctional facilities, is still a vacuum that needs to be filled. This qualitative case study determined the influence of Adult Education Programmes (AEPs) on offenders at Thohoyandou Correctional Centre, Limpopo Province. The study, supported by Capital Human Theory and Rehabilitation Theory, looked at the liberating potential of adult education, its function in the rewriting of the identity, and the impact of education on the future of the offenders. Data were collected through the conduction of semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and field observations. According to the results, AEPs to a large extent, uplift the offenders' self-esteem, employment opportunities, sense of social responsibility, and personal growth even though they continuously face the challenges of limited resources, inadequately qualified teaching staff, overcrowding, and irregularity in programme delivery. The research finds that the introduction of well-designed and sufficiently funded AEPs is instrumental in the offenders' rehabilitation, the decrease in the rate of recidivism, and community reintegration. To improve program efficiency, it is suggested that the institution be more supportive, that more money be allocated, and that the program be further diversified.

Keywords: adult education, offender rehabilitation, reoffending, reintegration

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Published
2026-09-30
How to Cite:
Mathebula, N. E., & Ntshangase, M. X. (2026). The Effects of Adult Education Programmes on Offenders: A Case Study of Thohoyandou Correctional Centre. Ideguru: Jurnal Karya Ilmiah Guru, 11(2), 169-179. https://doi.org/10.51169/ideguru.v11i2.2564
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 2 (2026): May 2026 Edition
Section
Research Articles

Copyright (c) 2026 Nkarhi Excellent Mathebula, Mohammed Xolile Ntshangase

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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