Selection of courses important to success, students told

SCHOOL leavers have been advised to choose a course that suits them and enrol at an institution that is registered with the Education Department.
Flexible Open Distance Education (Fode) coordinator for Western Highlands Justin Kingal said many grade 12 students failed to thoroughly research the institutions available.
Kingal said parents and the government paid school fees for children to get educated.
“To get educated does not mean all grade 12 students will go to university. One can get an education to become a carpenter, another can become a cook, another can become a lawyer, yet another becomes an engineer,” he said. “Those career paths all depend on the natural ability of the student to muster the subjects given in the classroom. If a student does very well in physics but decides to study law at UPNG, will that student be accepted? No.
“Students need to be honest with themselves as well as to their parents. If you are not good in science, don’t apply to an institution that trains engineers or doctors because you will only create problems for yourself.
“Because you are in grade 12 does not mean you apply to study at a university. Go where your strength lies. We have very good technical vocational institutions that can train our young people to become very handy and skilful in life.
“We are seeing a lot of school leavers not securing any spaces at the end of the year because they have not done proper selections based on their capabilities.”
Meanwhile, Kingal says Fode gives a second chances to those who think that they are “failures, school drop-outs and students of the past”
“Whether you are old, young, male, female, deaf or blind, whether you are a bus driver or street seller, Fode is here for you,” he said.
“The sad thing is people’s mindset.
“The problem is that not many people realise what Fode does.
“Fode gives opportunity to anybody to further their education at their own convenient time.
“Learning materials are provided by the Fode headquarters in Port Moresby.
“Fode is part of the general education services (GES) division of the Education Department.
“When you become a fulltime student, you purchase materials.
“You’ve got to buy materials to do grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
“You can select your own convenient time to study.
“Teachers are there to mentor, guide, test, assess, conduct examinations and certify you.
“When you complete grade 12 through the Fode mode, you will still fill the same school-leaver form (SLF) for entry into any tertiary institution of your choice,” Kingal elaborated.
The second part of undertaking the Fode mode is to become an upgrader – students who have failed examinable subjects in grades 8, 10 or 12.
Gr ade 8 or high schools (grades 10 and 12) to pay materials for the subjects they failed.
Upgraders have the same chance as students in secondary schools.
The third part of Fode is the matriculation programme, which is for students of the past (adults) who have forgotten all they learnt but possess a grade 10 certificate.