By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The Education Department through its Flexible Open and Distance Education program (FODE) has partnered with Kopkop College Kavieng campus to give hope to those whom have dropped out of school or wish to complete their formal education.
The college launched its new Kavieng FODE Academy program at its campus. The program will see KC facilitate the FODE program in its campus. Unlike the provincial government run FODE Centre in the province where registered students are given study materials to study at home during their own time with no assistance from academics, KC will facilitate the program and will provide full time classes with qualified teachers to tutor the FODE students.
The FODE Academy was an initiative envisioned by KC Executive Director, Ms. Maria Kopkop. In her opening speech Ms. Kopkop said the program is aimed at creating opportunity pathways for basic academic studies for New Ireland children.
“I have had the honor of associating myself with the public system of education in New Ireland and believe me, the experiences have been quite challenging. One of the major issues noted is the high number of students who do not get selected to secondary schools or continue to higher grades. It is evident that very little has been done to assist these large number of students”.
FODE Principal Mr. Anthony Rayappan when presenting the Certificate to certify KC Kavieng as a registered FODE study Centre said he was very thankful to KC Kavieng for coming up with this initiative and said he had no doubt KC Kavieng will be the success story of FODE in the country.
“FODE is an alternate pathway for students who have dropped out of the education system. FODE will offer quality education without compromising the curriculum. The same curriculum used in secondary schools will be offered in FODE.”
“Now with Kopkop College Kavieng coming on board to assist us in rolling out the FODE program, it will be an advantage to the students as they will have access to study facilities and more face-face interactive learning with qualified teachers like the other secondary institutions,” Mr Rayappan said.
Mr. Rayappan encouraged other secondary schools and private institutions to also come and support FODE roll out its programs to other centers and provinces. The launching was attended by Principals of both primary and secondary schools in New Ireland as well as member of the Provincial Administration, Provincial FODE office and Students and staff of Kopkop College Kavieng Campus.
