Motu Koitabu students forge new pathways

A major milestone was marked last week for hundreds of students across Motu Koitabu villages studying Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) with KTF. 173 students from Hanuabada, Pari, Taurama and surrounding communities gathered at the Ruatoka Memorial Hall to celebrate successfully completing their Grades 9 to 12 studies, the next step on their education journey.

A major milestone was marked last week for hundreds of students across Motu Koitabu villages studying Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) with KTF. 173 students from Hanuabada, Pari, Taurama and surrounding communities gathered at the Ruatoka Memorial Hall to celebrate successfully completing their Grades 9 to 12 studies, the next step on their education journey.

Representing the cohort, Grade 12 graduate Iamo Kidu shared the importance of this milestone for students,

“Graduates, we made it. We stand here today, proof that opportunity, when seized, can change everything. We all know the statistics. We know the stories. Too many of our brothers and sisters don’t finish Grade 12 or have but don't get an opportunity to do further studies. We were once part of that population but not anymore. We were given something precious: a chance. A chance to rise out of our circumstances and make a change, a chance to forge a new path. This wasn’t just a handout. It was a hand up. They believed in us, even when we might have doubted ourselves. And now, look at us. We are graduates. We are equipped. We are ready.”

At the event, Dr Genevieve Nelson, KTF CEO, shared “We are so proud to support these committed students on their FODE journeys. Whether upgrading their results to go on to further studies, or picking up their secondary education to matriculate Grade 12, we celebrate each and every one of the students here today."

“An extraordinary partnership has come together to deliver FODE locally here; the ongoing support of the Motu Koita Assembly and Dame Carol Kidu, Kina Bank, the Sir Theo Foundation and the Canadian government have all helped KTF provide this second chance for students to forge new pathways.”

Well represented at the ceremony, partner guests included the Hon. Dadi Toka, Chairman, Motu Koita Assembly, George Constantinou, Governing Director of the Sir Theo Foundation, Mackhenly Kaiok, Head of Communications at Kina Bank and Dame Carol Kidu AO.

Partners in delivering Motu Koita FODE since inception in 2023, Kina Bank CEO & MD, Ivan Vidovich, shared “Kina Bank has wholeheartedly come on board to support this program, which has brought us great satisfaction and pride for three years. Kina Bank’s mission statement talks about bringing prosperity to the lives of Papua New Guineans, not only through the various market leading digital banking products and services we provide our customers, but to the lives of the communities we touch. We want to positively impact the lives of Papua New Guineans, and we know that we are achieving that through the support we provide to programs such as this FODE program.”

In 2024, an exciting new partnership between KTF, Dame Carol Kidu and the Sir Theo Foundation was instrumental in bringing FODE to the communities of Pari and Taurama. George Constantinou, Group Chairman and Governing Director, expressed his enthusiasm, “Congratulations to the students who have graduated. I’m incredibly proud that KTF’s FODE Centres have enabled over 170 Papua New Guineans to complete their education, and that the Sir Theo Foundation has played a role in making this possible. My family firmly believes that through education, it is the key to improving livelihoods in PNG”.

The success of these initiatives underscores the transformative power of accessible, quality education. KTF remains committed to empowering individuals and communities by providing second-chance education, creating a brighter future for Motu and Koitabu communities, and across Papua New Guinea.

Motu Koita FODE along with the Pari & Taurama FODE Centres are generously supported by Kina Bank, the Canadian Government and the Sir Theo Foundation.