Mohale FM SEVERE staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure and insufficient resources are crippling efforts to rehabilitate children committed to the Juvenile Training Centre (JTC), raising concerns about the institution’s ability to properly educate and reform young offenders.
According to the Principal Rehabilitation Officer, Lefelisa Setloboko, the Centre, which operates both primary and secondary schools for detained children, is struggling with a lack of qualified teachers, poor learning facilities and inadequate food supplies.
Speaking on the side-lines of a back-to school initiative hosted by the Ministry of Health on Friday, Mr Setloboko said the Centre requires urgent support from both government and the private sector to ensure that children leave rehabilitated and academically prepared for reintegration into society.
The JTC currently accommodates more than 50 boys and over 10 girls who have been committed for various offences, including sexual offences, housebreaking and theft, assault and murder.
Mr Setloboko said about 80 per cent of the boys are detained for sexual offences, while most girls are committed for housebreaking and theft.
Children at the Centre are aged between 12 and 17 years and may stay for up to three years, although they can return home after nine months if caregivers are satisfied with their rehabilitation progress.
