BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – Teachers at His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) are learning modern vocational training methods to help prepare inmates for life beyond prison.
The workshop, held on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at the Correctional Staff College in Matsapha, was led by the University of Eswatini’s (UNESWA) Institute of Distance Education and focused on curriculum design and development.
The initiative comes under a formal partnership signed in September 2025 between HMCS Commissioner General LaMakhosini Phindile Dlamini and UNESWA Vice Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala. The agreement aims to strengthen training, research, and capacity-building efforts within the Correctional Services.
Deputy Commissioner General Bongani Khumalo said the programme empowers HMCS teaching staff from the Agriculture, Building & Maintenance, and Industries sections. “By equipping our instructors with modern teaching skills, we ensure that inmates receive quality training that gives them practical skills to reintegrate into society,” Khumalo said.
The workshop was attended by senior HMCS officials, including Commissioner Cyril Maseko, Chief Assistant Commissioner Kenneth Nhlengethwa, and Assistant Commissioner Mkhiwa Maseko. UNESWA’s delegation was led by IDE Director Professor C. Maphosa and included Dr. K.E. Kunene, Dr. P.S. Dlamini, and Mr. P. Maphanga.
Professor Maphosa said the training will help HMCS meet Eswatini Higher Education Council regulatory requirements, improve programme and material design, and support accreditation. “This collaboration not only strengthens instructors’ skills but also benefits inmates who will receive improved vocational training,” he added.
For HMCS teachers, the workshop was a chance to gain practical knowledge in lesson planning and curriculum delivery. One officer in the Building & Maintenance unit said, “The workshop has given me fresh ideas on how to teach more effectively. I’m excited to take these methods to my classes and help inmates gain real skills they can use after release.”
The partnership between HMCS and UNESWA has been ongoing for years, with students and researchers learning and working in correctional facilities. The September MoU now provides a structured framework to expand these efforts, ensuring a stronger focus on professional development and inmate rehabilitation.
Khumalo commended HMCS instructors for their dedication in delivering quality instruction and producing high-standard goods across vocational units. He said the training marks another important step in building a skilled workforce, reducing recidivism, and supporting national development through education.
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Courtesy Pic)
