Community Celebrates FODE Graduates at KTF’s Kokoda College

Community connections came to the fore at last week’s celebration of the graduation of 120 grade 9 to 12 students at Kokoda College, a growing education hub in Oro Province operated by development organisation KTF (Kokoda Track Foundation).

Through Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE), Kokoda College supports students from the greater Kokoda catchment who have been unable to complete mainstream schooling to complete their secondary education, or for students to upgrade their marks and pursue education or employment opportunities through this NDoE-endorsed pathway.

National FODE Principal Mr Anthony Rayappan, who travelled to Kokoda for the graduation, emphasised in his address that Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) is not simply an alternative pathway, but a legitimate and rapidly growing education pathway helping students complete their secondary education. Mr Rayappan thanked KTF for its strong partnership and for delivering a program that is helping increasing numbers of students access FODE and continue their education.

For students living in remote parts of Oro Province, FODE is critical in creating opportunities to pursue tertiary education in fields such as teaching and health - professions essential to strengthening local communities:

The Honourable Gary Juffa MP, Governor of Oro Province and long-term advocate of education and FODE, shared with the gathering: “You invest in human resources and they will come back and help you. We don’t have much money as a province….. We just have ourselves, but what little we have we’re going to do the best we can. Then, we will see the transformations that come along. Sanap Strong, be confident, get out there, there are many opportunities for you to seize.”

Joining Governor Juffa and Mr Rayappan at the ceremony were a range of partners and FODE supporters, including Mr Stanley Newena from the Kokoda Initiative; Dr Karen Nyangara from the Commonwealth of Learning; alongside KTF’s CEO Dr Genevieve Nelson.

Prepared with great pride by the school community, including teachers and students, the college campus was festooned with beautiful natural decorations to mark the special occasion. This sense of pride and celebration filled the grounds as families and communities gathered to recognise the achievements of students from across the province.

The Awala community opened the celebration with traditional dance to mark the occasion. Among the performers was Sandy, who graduated from Grade 10 and received the Female Dux award. Several of the other Awala dancers are also set to enrol as students at Kokoda College.

Another Grade 10 graduate, Emmanuel, Head Teacher at his primary school is upgrading his qualifications, enrolled at Kokoda College through a partnership with Oro Disabled Foundation. In a moving show of appreciation, Emmanuel’s students and community members provided an abundant offering of fruit and vegetables to the ceremony to thank the College for supporting one of their few local teachers to further his education.

Newly elected officials from Koukou village also attended the ceremony, expressing their support for Kokoda College and their commitment to encouraging disengaged youth in their communities to take advantage of the education opportunities now available close to home.

“Today’s graduation is a powerful reminder that when education opportunities reach remote communities, extraordinary things happen,” said Dr Genevieve Nelson, CEO of Kokoda Track Foundation. “These students have shown determination and resilience to complete their studies, and many will go on to become teachers, health workers and leaders who will strengthen their communities for years to come.”

KTF’s work in the region is inspired by the enduring bond forged between Papua New Guinea and Australia during the Kokoda Campaign of World War II. Today, that spirit of partnership continues through development initiatives that expand access to education, health, and gender equality - strengthening communities and creating opportunities for future generations.

Kokoda College is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program and the Kokoda Initiative and generous public and philanthropic supporters, delivered alongside the Papua New Guinea Government.