KTF team to begin on-ground operations St Paul’s Komo secondary school

The KTF team meeting with FODE students at St Paul's Komo secondary yesterday to conduct pre-entry tests and distribution of assignment books *(Image: Supplied)*

A team from the Kokoda Track Foundation [KTF] is at St Paul’s Komo Secondary School in Hela Province, to begin on-ground operations focusing on Flexible Open Distance Education [FODE] student registrations.

The team continued its work yesterday by conducting Pre-Entry Tests (PET) and distributing assignment books to enrolled students.

The KTF team presence at the school follows Hela Education Services signing of a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] with Kokoda Track Foundation [KTF] and ExxonMobil in Port Moresby earlier last month to commence the FODE program.

KTF Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Genevieve Nelson signing the MoU in the presence of Hela Education Services Director Ronny Angu last month to commence FODE program *(Image: Supplied)*

A total of 200 students from the district have already enrolled and will begin their studies this month.

ExxonMobil will fully pay for the students’ school fees, while teachers involved in the program will also receive allowances. This program provides a second-chance education pathway for school leavers who were unable to continue in the formal school system.

School Principal Quinn Nila says today, the KTF team will meet with secondary school staff to discuss key implementation plans.

“The agenda will include teacher participation in FODE classes, preparation of teaching documents for formal engagement, development of the FODE timetable and class arrangements, and the 2026 FODE Yearly Operational Plan,” he said.

Mr. Nila said the program has already attracted strong community interest, with students traveling from Bossavi, Mananda, and across the surrounding 24 council wards to enroll in large numbers.

He said the agreement will see the rollout of a one-year pilot program under KTF FODE initiative. The program will be implemented at Hedemari Technical Secondary School and St Paul’s Komo Secondary School.

According to program coordinators, the number of students enrolling is expected to increase in the coming years, depending on the success and implementation of the pilot program.