Motu Koita FODE Centre
2020 dawned with an exciting education opportunity for students from the Motu Koitabu region, traditional home to the original landowners of Port Moresby, with the opening of the Motu Koita FODE Centre. Even a global pandemic could not stop enrolments being taken for the inaugural year, thanks to quick thinking and strong partnership by all involved.
Located in a building provided by the Motu Koita Assembly Education Infrastructure Project, the Centre is operated by KTF and is nationally recognised by the PNG National FODE office. It offers Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 studies to local students wanting to upgrade their education in the hope of pursuing further studies in the fields of health and teaching.
The FODE program enables early school leavers to upgrade their qualifications to Grade 12 – the minimum entry requirement for all teachers and health workers across the country. Students who are committed to training as teachers and health workers are accepted into the program to increase the pipeline of these professions in the local community.
FODE students participate in lectures and tutorials combined with study at a self-determined pace to complete modules and assessments. The centre uses a digitised version of the FODE curriculum; and all students are given a tablet in order to support their studies. Each term, students rotate between face-to-face group lectures, one-on-one tutoring, and self-directed study at home.
Student profile: Reia Ali
Reia's education journey is a case study in resilience. An enthusiastic student, Reia’s studies have been plagued by a series of health conditions starting with a fall from a bridge at 6 years old resulting in a pinned broken leg and hearing problems developed at age 11. Although Reia was in and out of hospital throughout her schooling, she competed her grade 9 studies and progressed to grade 10 in 2020 however a Tuberculosis diagnosis meant she was unable to continue.
Planning to attempt grade 10 again in 2021, Reia found her withdrawal the previous year resulted in reallocation of her space; it would be a costly exercise for her to return. This prompted Reia to reconsider her study options in light of her circumstances and find an alternative pathway to matriculation. The answer was FODE.
The flexibility of FODE studies, with a combination of face-to-face and self-directed at-home learning is perfect for Reia and her health challenges, enabling her to undertake the majority of her study from the comfort of her home. Reia actively manages her workload, studying on days when she feels well.
Reia is excited to pursue her education dreams.
“I am excited to be doing FODE here at MK FODE centre. “I hope to become a doctor some day because in my family I am always the one who’s always getting sick, I hope to become a doctor in the future so that I can help others like me.”
The Motu Koita FODE Centre is generously supported by the Motu Koita Assembly and Kina Bank.
