Young persons in custody (PICs) at Lai King Correctional Institution (LKCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (September 25) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.

     In the past year, a total of 42 PICs of the institution sat for various academic and vocational examinations including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), the Aptis - British Council English Assessment Test and the General Aptitude Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi, and obtained vocational certificates covering Food Safety and Hygiene, Food and Beverage Services, Coffee Making and Latte Art Training, Bakery and Pastry Making, Cantonese Cooking as well as Beauty Care organised by the Christian Action and the Vocational Training Council. During the year, the PICs attained 66 merits out of 182 certificates obtained. In the ceremony today, 20 PICs were presented with 116 certificates, of which 41 were marked with merits. 

     Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of Tung Sin Tan (TST), Mr Ha Tak-kin, said that TST has been highly supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and has set up the Tung Sin Education Fund to provide education and vocational training subsidies to PICs with financial difficulties to enable further studies. He encouraged the young PICs to equip themselves well and adopt a proactive learning attitude to prepare for reintegration into society.

     During the ceremony, the young PICs delivered a music performance with Chinese drums and western musical instruments, and a traditional Chinese dance performance to demonstrate their learning outcomes and show gratitude to their families and correctional officers for their unwavering support. Through the performance, the PICs expressed their aspirations for pursuing a new beginning, allowing participants of the ceremony to witness their determination to change.
      
     In the sharing session, a young PIC expressed thanks to her family members for their encouragement, which has enabled her to return to study and optimise her time to study hard, thus attaining satisfactory results in the HKDSE. Her mother shared the joy of witnessing positive changes of her daughter and she appreciated the dedication of correctional officers which have made her realise the importance of rehabilitation work.

     Also attending the ceremony were representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.

     LKCI accommodates young female PICs aged from 14 to under 21. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for PICs to help them rehabilitate and prepare for their reintegration into society.

Ends/Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Issued at HKT 15:06

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