Dept targets zero dropouts by 2029

THE Education Department targets zero dropouts of students by 2029 in the country, secretary Dr Uke Kombra says.
Kombra said this during the Flexible Open Distance Education (Fode) rollout awareness programme in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said this could be made possible through four education pathways for students.
“There are four pathways, which include normal education system, technical high schools, vocational and Fode,” he said.
Kombra said if students completed grade six, they could decide which pathway they wanted to take depending on their strength.
Kombra said it was not compulsory for everyone to take the normal school system but the pathways should be available for them to decide.
“Our business in education is to give every child an opportunity for 13 years of quality education and we look at every opportunity to give to every child so he or she gets full 13 years of quality education,” he said.
Kombra said the Government had seen the importance of education and provided full tuition subsidy this year so that no child was left behind due to financial constraints.
Dr Kombra said by 2029, the department should effectively provide 13 years of quality education for every child and effectively support the four education pathways.
He added that the government would still support FODE with funding depending on the enrolment and structure for this year.
Meanwhile, Fode principal Anthony Rayappan said last year they received K 8 million from the Government and hoped they would receive the same amount as well.