The Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) in partnership with the PNG Sustainable Development Program (SDP) recently graduated 192 talented and motivated Grade 12 students from Western province who completed studies at their respective Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) centres in Balimo, Morehead and St Gabriel’s in North Fly district.
This exceptional group of students persevered and succeeded despite numerous setbacks and challenges like the COVID pandemic, the 2022 National General Election and a range of other issues.
They resumed their studies as a pathway to new opportunities including further studies at tertiary level, which can open exciting career opportunities for students, like becoming health workers and teachers.
The FODE centres aimed to train people from Western province for employment in the province and seeks to complement the efforts by the government on delivering education in Western.
It all started in 2019 with 105 students enrolled in Balimo. This year, a total of 775 students enrolled in Balimo, Morehead, Kiunga, and Lake Murray.
In 2022 KTF in partnership with PNG SDP opened the Balimo College, an initiative of SDP implemented in partnership with KTF, which offered teacher training and in due course, a school of nursing and other disciplines such as agriculture.
The FODE program provides a pathway to Balimo College, which enrolled an initial intake of 37 teacher trainees at the beginning of last year, making it Western Province’s first-ever Teachers College. 36 of those students passed their exams and continued as second-year trainee teachers this year, along with a second intake of 40 first-year trainees.
“The growth of Balimo Teachers College has been a great motivator for our FODE students who aspire to become primary teachers,” said SDP’s Director of Education Programs, Dr. Brad Shaw.
“We are very pleased to be working with KTF and seeing the successful expansion of our FODE program both in terms of student numbers and geographic coverage.”
Meanwhile, the students themselves that graduated had a lot of experiences and stories to share about how they came to be in the FODE centres and eventually making it to the next level. Miss Kelesa Gebone, a graduating student from Balimo FODE centre, shared her experiences and excitement.
“Initially, I completed my studies in the village; however, I did not get the required GPA (Grade Point Average) needed to pass and so I enrolled in Balimo FODE to upgrade my marks. Now I have reached my goal and finally will be graduating. I had to paddle one day to reach Balimo just to get to school,” said said.
“There were lots of struggles and challenges, but I did not give up. I had lots of restless nights because I want to be somebody in the future. I am also happy that I have been selected to attend the Balimo Teachers College. I am very happy and thankful to SDP.”
Another student, Kelakiyato Gogo from Wasua village, has a compelling story. She enrolled in the FODE program in 2020 but had to withdraw due to illness. In 2021, she re-enrolled, only to fall sick again and had to leave school the second time.
Last year, when she re-enrolled, she told herself that she can do it and with the support from her husband and the FODE teachers who continued to encourage her journey, she completed her studies and was so delighted to receive the ‘Most Improved’ award for Grade 12.
She is currently enrolled as a first-year teacher trainee at Balimo College and said when she completes her studies, she hopes to teach at her husband’s village in Waliama.
“I want to encourage those who are starting their FODE journey, if you want to achieve something be committed and make the sacrifice. You will get there,” she said.
Grade 12 Dux awardee Maxine Dabema added, “Hard work pays off. Work hard and you will achieve your dreams. Education is precious – we don’t realise it but when you are given a second chance, grab it and make the most out of it.”