31-year-old inmate in Prison School scores 4 distinctions at O levels

SINGAPORE – Like any other O-level student on Jan 10, Nabil (not his real name) was both anxious and excited to receive his results.

When he received them, he felt mostly satisfied with the six subjects that he took, but said that he could have done better in English. In total, he scored four distinctions, including two A1s – in Malay and principles of accounts.

Unlike most of the other students who collected their results though, Nabil is 31 years old, twice the age of the average candidate who sits the O-level examinations.

He was one of 21 inmates who collected their results in prison on Jan 10.

For Nabil, excelling in his studies was something he never thought would be possible. After falling into bad company in his teen years, he spent most of his 20s in jail for drug-related offences.

He was charged in 2013 and 2014 for drug abuse, and, currently, is serving his longest sentence of five years and eight months, which he began serving in 2022, for trafficking in a controlled substance.

While he was waiting to be sentenced in 2021, he received a wake-up call when a family friend had to bail him out to attend his sister’s funeral.

He said: “My parents are in their 70s. If I was (in prison) again, I cannot spend time with my mum and dad.”

He applied to attend Prison School soon after he was jailed in 2022 and was accepted in 2023. He emerged as

one of Prison School’s top N-level students,

15 years after leaving mainstream school.

“Education is the one way to upgrade myself and change my life,” he said.

Prison School’s O-level programme lasts only one year, so students like Nabil must complete a syllabus that is usually taught over two years in half the time.

Ms Maria Thiah, the principles of accounts teacher at Prison School, who taught Nabil, said: “One of the biggest challenges is keeping (the syllabus) concise and to the point.”

The 60-year-old, who has more than 25 years of experience teaching in mainstream schools, said that in order to keep pace with the condensed curriculum, she organises extra lessons and provides extra revision materials for the students.

She praised Nabil for his stellar scores, crediting him for his efforts.

Ms Thiah said: “Nabil is very hardworking and respectful. He never hesitates to ask questions or clarify doubts, and it’s clear he wants to do well.”

His studying schedule for the O-level exams was certainly intense. He attended classes from 8.30am to 3pm, and often stayed up till as late as 11pm revising after class.

He is studying now for the A levels in Prison School, and plans to take the exams as a private candidate after he is released from prison in June 2025 to serve the rest of his sentence in a community-based programme. He hopes to do well enough to pursue a degree in business or finance.

“I want to be able to make a better life for my family,” he said.

Looking back, Nabil said he wished that he had put more focus into his studies when he was younger.

When asked what he would tell his 16-year-old self, he said: “Think about your future. Think about the people you’ll hurt if you go down the wrong path.”

Nabil said he will tell his family of the good news by writing them a letter.

He added: “I hope my achievement today can put a smile on their faces.”