Motu Koita FODE Centre: ‘Opening’ a college in times COVID-19

2020 dawned with an exciting education opportunity for Motu Koita students, with the announcement that the Motu Koita FODE Centre would open for enrolments by Chairman, Dadi Toka.

Motu Koita Assembly Chairman Dadi Toka and KTF General Manager PNG, Anthony Nagul inspect the new FODE facility

 “(We are) looking forward to the opening of the first Motu Koita FODE (Flexible Open & Distance Education) Centre with Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) at Hagara Primary School in the next couple of months. The KTF partnership is imperative as they have successfully delivered many education programs in PNG. The centre will initially be supported by NCD FODE and will accommodate over 100 Motu Koita students”. 

The Motu Koita FODE Centre offers Grade 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. Located in a new building provided by the Motu Koita Assembly, enrolments were called and 160 hopeful students were tested for the 105 places available.

COVID-19 then swept the globe, with a State of Emergency declared in PNG. One of the many measures implemented for the safety of all Papua New Guineans was the closure of all schools and colleges.

 Quick thinking from our education team devised a safe, compliant Plan B for our students to continue their learning.  By its very nature, FODE combines face-to-face classroom learning each term with self-paced home based studies using electronic tablets and assignments. We simply reversed the order of delivery and organised for students to attend one-on-one sessions with our team to register and collect their e-learning tablets and assignments, with classroom learning to take place when emergency restrictions are lifted by the PNG Government, hopefully in the comping weeks.

 Over the past fortnight, our successful Motu Koita FODE students have attended personal appointments at KTF’s office, adhering to strict social distancing measures to collect their tablets and work papers to commence their learning.

Individual appointments and social distancing for student registration and collection of e-learning materials

KTF CEO, Dr Genevieve Nelson tells how the FODE learning plan pivoted to the new format: “We were determined that the Motu Koita students would not miss the chance to commence the 2020 academic year, especially in these times of uncertainty. With an incredible team effort from students, our people, the Motu Koita Assembly and our other generous donors, Kina Bank and Black Swan International, we are delighted to offer this opportunity to our newest students. Until we can start classroom learning, we will support our students with dedicated Facebook tutoring groups for each grade and subject.  We look forward to welcoming our students to the classroom, hopefully very soon.”

In an exciting step forward, the new Motu Koita FODE Centre classroom at Haraga Primary School was officially opened on 28 April by MKA Chairman Toka and Governor Powes Parkop, attended by the KTF team and centre supporters including Gavin Heard, GM Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations for Kina Bank: “We’re delighted to partner with KTF to co-fund the new FODE Centre. Access to education is a pressing social and economic issue that we’re facing and through our partnership we can help tackle this. Students with a good education can unlock meaningful careers and some of the students have already expressed their interest to go on to become teachers or health workers. It’s extremely positive. Our commitment to the FODE Centre is a crucial part of Kina Bank’s strategy to help create the workforce of the future.”

With the Office of the Controller declaring schools reopen on 4 May 2020, KTF and all partners are delighted to announce the first face-to-face classes at the Motu Koita FODE Centre will now commence next week, observing strict social distancing measures and numbers of students attending under the direction of Principal Michael Gari.   

We welcome the Motu Koita FODE Centre class of 2020 to their virtual and actual college.