A Second Chance to Succeed: Motu Koita Students Graduate Through KTF FODE

180 Students from Hanuabada, Pari, Taurama and surrounding villages gathered at Ruatoka Memorial Hall in Port Moresby to celebrate the completion of their Grade 9–12 studies - an achievement many once believed was out of reach.

Student representative, Rea Boe, presented a deeply emotional address which moved everyone present, “Most students saw it as a failure. The systems told us it was our fate - but they were wrong. Thank you for giving us a second chance to pursue our dreams and be successful in life.” 

Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) is a National Department of Education-endorsed pathway for students who have been unable to continue through the mainstream schooling system. Despite their close proximity to Port Moresby, many Motu Koita communities face significant barriers to education, including institutional constraints, limited school places, scarce resources and financial hardship. Before KTF began working in Pari Village, very few Grade 8 students were able to secure a place in Grade 9; in 2022, it was only two per cent.

For many young people in these communities, FODE is more than an education pathway - it represents a second chance at life.

This message was echoed by long-time education advocate Dame Carol Kidu, who served as the only female member of National Parliament during her final decade in office. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dame Carol Kidu shared the story of the starfish - a reminder that even small actions can change lives.

In the story, thousands of starfish are washed ashore after a king tide. A man walks the beach returning them to the ocean one by one. When a bystander comments that he is wasting his time, the man throws another starfish even further: “Well I sure saved that one, didn’t I.” 

For the graduates celebrating their achievements, the message was clear: It is about giving every star fish (student) an opportunity to succeed, and every life transformed makes the effort worthwhile.

The FODE program delivered through the Motu Koita FODE Centre and neighbouring Pari & Taurama FODE Centre is made possible through strong partnerships. Since 2020, Kina Bank has supported the program in the Motu Koita area, enabling it to expand each year. In 2026, the initiative will reach a significant milestone - more than 1,000 students enrolled since the program began.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Mackhenly Kaiok, Chief of Staff at Kina Bank, shared that he had grown up in a local Motu Koita village, making the program’s impact deeply personal. He spoke of the importance of investing in education to support the development and future opportunities of young people in the community.

Pari & Taurama FODE Centre, supported by the Sir Theo Foundation, has only been operating for two years, but its impact is already deeply felt.  Dame Carol Kidu, a key member of the local community, shared that something remarkable is happening - expectations are rising, aspirations are rising, and more young people are believing that education is possible. 

Courtney Abel, Director at the Sir Theo Foundation, shared a personal reflection on the importance of second chances at the celebration. A strong advocate for creating opportunities through education, Ms Abel spoke candidly about her own experience of resilience:

“When I was younger, I failed my first year at university,” she told graduates. “I stepped away for a time before returning with renewed purpose and a different mindset. That second chance changed the trajectory of my life.”

Standing before the graduates as a corporate lawyer and Foundation Director, Ms Abel said the moment was a powerful reminder of what can happen when opportunity meets determination.

“When a second chance is embraced with intention, it can transform not only your life, but the lives of those around you,” she said. “At the end of the day, most of us want the same thing - a better life for ourselves and a better future for our children. Those of us who are in positions to help create opportunities have a responsibility to do so, and those who are given opportunities must embrace them and make the most of them.”

KTF also welcomed a new partner this year, with the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute committing to support an additional 20 student places at the Pari Taurama FODE Centre. On behalf of the institute, Professor Sir Isi Kevau presented a cheque to expand access to education for more young people in the community.

Key also to the operation of KTF’s FODE centres is the endorsement of the Motu Koita Assembly, represented at the ceremony by Deputy Chairman, the Honourable Babani Harry.

“Second-chance education does not happen by accident,” shared Dr Genevieve Nelson, KTF CEO, “It happens because people believe that opportunity should never have an expiry date. Most secondary education systems are designed around one very specific moment in your life - usually between the ages of 12 and 18. If things go wrong during those years, the system quietly assumes your chance has passed. But life does not always follow neat timelines. People face family pressures, financial hardship, or simply run out of school places. 

FODE exists because we believe something very different. We believe that education should always have a door you can walk back through. And every student graduating here today has walked through that door. Programs like Motu Koita and Pari Taurama FODE exist to make sure that missing out once does not mean missing out forever.”

Following the official graduation ceremony, a small delegation travelled to the Pari & Taurama FODE Centre to observe the program in action, including Andrew Angobe, First Assistant Secretary for FODE and Inclusive Education, and Meg Toka, Director of the Sir Theo Foundation. The group attended a FODE English literature class delivered by KTF lecturers, a defining feature of KTF’s FODE - its blended approach. While the program maintains the flexibility of self-directed study - a core component of FODE - it also provides in-person classes to support students and strengthen learning outcomes.

These initiatives are made possible through KTF’s committed partners who share a belief that quality education should be accessible to every community. With enrolments continuing to grow, the Motu Koita and Pari & Taurama FODE programs are helping ensure more young people can return to education and pursue further study, employment and leadership opportunities.