Fode needs K3mil to continue ops

By JINA AMBA
THE Flexible Open Distance Education (Fode) needs K3 million for its operation for this year because of the increase in student enrolments, an official says.
Fode principal Anthony Rayappan told The National that they received K6.5 million but needed K3 million more and hoped that the government would release the funding. “For this year, we got K6.5 million that is the subsidy from the Government through the department, but due to the increase in enrollments we need another K3 million,” he said.
“We have requested the department to consider the difference.
“We hope to get some assistance before this year ends to help us and take us to next mid-year until we receive the next subsidy.”
Rayappan said Fode centres did not have facilities to cater for the increasing number of students.
“With the increase in enrolments, it’s a big challenge,” he said.
“We are looking at how to roll out Fode programmes into the provinces but the infrastructure is a big challenge.
“If we have our own infrastructure this problem would be addressed.
“Students will be monitored in one location.
“I appeal to the Government, the Education Department and other stakeholders like provincial governments to come forward and assist Fode in the provinces.”
Meanwhile, Rayappan said this year, they had rolled out Fode courses to all the schools in the Southern Highlands.
“We want to start with one province. We will also roll it out starting next year to Madang,” he said.
“All the secondary schools and technical, vocational and educational training schools will implement the Fode programme.
“A memorandum of understanding will be signed soon with provincial authorities this month.
“Fode courses will be implemented into the secondary schools in Madang followed by Gulf.”