Organisations help Fode open centre in Western

A FLEXIBLE Open Distant Education centre has opened in Western – thanks to two organisations and Middle Fly MP Roy Biyama.
The Kokoda Track Foundation and the PNG Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) are behind the setting up of the centreat a new college in Balimo, Western.
SDP media and communications manager Esther Sibona said they were delighted to be involved in the project.
“We focus on improving primary and secondary education through scholarships, improving school infrastructure, funding school fees, using modern technology to support teachers and students in remote locations, and developing a Balimo campus to provide Fode,” she said.
The centre has enrolled 105 students in the Balimo region to complete their grade 12 education.
Foundation chief executive Dr Genevieve Nelson said it was vital “that we support people on long-term pathways into teaching and health work, and to support them to return to remote communities and deliver services”.
“The new facility at Balimo takes a holistic approach to supporting these career pathways and will ensure that students who commence their studies with us are supported through to their tertiary studies on teaching and health work,” she said.
Volunteers are cleaning the school and carrying out minor repairs to classrooms.
Biyama welcomed the opening of centre bec ause it will help students who have dropped out of grade 10.
“Education is one of the key priorities in the Middle Fly distric’s five-year development plan, which is focused on improving school infrastructure and standards .
Balimo Fode students will have exams in November this year.