The Flexible, Open and Distance Education (FODE) program is making strides in bringing education to more Papua New Guineans through digital platforms and expanded services.
Speaking on the progress of FODE, Secretary for Education, Dr Uke Kombra highlighted the significant achievements to date, including the successful pilot of Moodle online courses for Grade 11 and 12 students in selected centers and the digitization of courses for Grades 7–10.
“We are committed to ensuring no student is left behind. Our digitization and expansion plans align directly with the national goal of inclusive and accessible education for all,” Dr Kombra said.
He added that FODE are no longer alternate pathways and that FODE must have Centre in every LLG as a minimum service standard.
Dr Kombra said over 80,000 students were enrolled in 2024, with numbers continuing to rise across all 22 provinces and FODE is starting to expand services into districts and LLGs.
He also expressed that partnerships with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and NICTA are helping strengthen capacity and quality of digital courses.
However, Dr Kombra stressed the importance of sustainable investment to maintain the momentum.
“To sustain growth and deliver quality learning, FODE requires increased funding of around K20 million annually, as well as additional staffing and infrastructure support,” he said.
Looking ahead, FODE aims to further expand into secondary, high, and vocational schools, while continuing to roll out online learning platforms nationwide.
The program’s success story in NCD and Central Province demonstrates that digital learning is both feasible and effective, paving the way for broader implementation.
Dr Kombra called on government, stakeholders, and provincial administrations to support FODE’s expansion.
“We urge all partners to prioritize capacity building, infrastructure development, and sustainable funding so that every Papua New Guinean child has a pathway to education,” he concluded.
