Female young persons in custody at Lai King Correctional Institution (LKCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (October 25) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.
In the past year, 21 young persons in custody at the institution sat for various academic and vocational examinations including those under the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, the International English Language Testing System, General Aptitude Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi and examinations covering Word Processing Techniques, Food and Beverage Service, International Award of Barista Skill, Coffee Making and Latte Art Training, Bakery and Pastry Making, Cantonese Cooking and Kitchen Operations, Food Hygiene Certificate for Hygiene Manager and Beauty Care organised by the City and Guilds International Limited, Christian Action and the Vocational Training Council. They achieved eight merits out of 55 certificates obtained. A total of eight young persons in custody were presented with 31 certificates today. In a first, one of the young female persons in custody has been successfully admitted to a local university through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System to pursue her studies in a bachelor's degree programme.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairlady of the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon, Dr Yang Xiaoling, said that her organisation has long supported the CSD's rehabilitation work. The secondary schools run by Lok Sin Tong have actively participated in various events under the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project with a view to spreading the messages of leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation for young people.
During the ceremony, a representative of the certificate recipients expressed her gratitude for the department's support in rehabilitation. A parent representative spoke on how she felt when she witnessed the positive changes of her daughter during training. The ceremony ended with a wonderful drama show by all of the certificate recipients.
Also attending the ceremony were representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and parents of the certificate recipients.
LKCI accommodates female persons in custody aged from 14 to under 21. The department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for persons in custody to help them rehabilitate and prepare for their reintegration into society.
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