Fode centre in Goroka goes up in flames, classes continuing

By ZACHERY PER
THOUSANDS of kina worth of educational material, equipment and properties belonging to a Flexible Open and Distant Education (Fode) centre at Seigu section of Goroka town in Eastern Highlands was destroyed by fire on Wednesday.
This has left more than 1,000 students without a place to learn and disrupted the programme.
Director of Okapa Fode Oxy Justin and his students, parents and stakeholders described the destruction as a great loss.
“I have been struggling without any support to help unfortunate students who cannot make it through the formal education system. It is indeed a sad time for me and 1,264 students doing grades seven to 12 at Okapa,” he said.
Justin said the cause of the fire was unknown but it started from the back of the building and spread within minutes, engulfing the entire building.
He said the property also housed four families, who also lost their belongings.
“Our Fode centre lost tens of thousands of kina worth of school materials, online Fode system facilities with the national Education Department, printers, scanners, copier machines, course books and materials for grades seven to 12 – all gone up in flames,” Justin said. He said some of the machines were new and yet to be installed.
He said despite the losses, normal classes and programme would continue under a makeshift roof he was organising near the burnt buildings.
“Okapa Fode is a registered centre recognised by the Eastern Highlands government and its education division, Education Department and the State.
“We are a centre for correspondence studies for many students who dropped out of school.
“I appeal to the eight districts of Eastern Highlands, the Eastern Highlands provincial government and other provinces, including generous stakeholders, to support the school to rebuild,” he said.
Those who wish to help can contact Justin on 70747552 and deposit can be made into BSP account Okapa FODE Study Centre 7022741453. Meanwhile, a Goroka town fire service spokesman said they could not do much to save the institution as it is located at eastern end of Goroka town and the fire station is at West Goroka.
“If we attempt to get there and we are late, we will be attacked by others on the road, they will claim that we were late and ask us what we’re doing to come late,” the spokesman said.