Flexible Open and Distance Education 2026 FODE Application Info

The PNG government and Education Department realised that there is a need to focus on Flexible, Open and Distance Education. This realisation comes on the back of unprecedented growth in the number of students leaving school are Grades 8, 10 and 12 as a result of the Free Education Policy. 

If you are a student wanting to upgrade your marks or continue your education with FODE, you'll find this article useful. We have compiled the information from the FODE website and the latest articles to give you the best head start. 

(Want to work as a Data Collector in the 2026 National Census nationwide? Here is how to apply)

What is Flexible, Open and Distance Education

The National Education Department recognises that distance education is an important means to deliver education. 

Flexible, Open and Distance Education (FODE) is mandated to offer a distance learning pathway as an integral part of the National Education System.

FODE is a School at home, where students study the same primary and secondary education curriculum in their own time, in their own homes, and at their own pace.

FODE is ideally:

• the alternative choice for students who decide to study at home, in an open and flexible environment.
• for continuing education for students who for various reasons cannot continue their education in the mainstream school system.
• the second chance education for the upgrading of grades/results of their grades 10 and 12 certificates

Why the emphasis on flexible, open and distance education

The number of students dropping out of primary and secondary schools is alarming (link here). The PNG govt through the Education Ministry and the National Education Department have seen that the best way to address the problem is through FODE.

Here is what the new Education Minister said about the FODE enrolment…

‘A team from the Education Department is working on a plan to have all school leavers absorbed into the [FODE] system….this is so we can reduce the number of student dropouts doing nothing out there.’ Jimmy Uguro, MP

 

Who is eligible for FODE

FODE students can be school leavers, disabled people, employed or unemployed, teenagers or adult, single or married. Anyone who wishes to improve his/her education can study at FODE.

Students studying at FODE are classified as either Full Correspondence (FC) students or Upgrader Students (US).

• FC – FODE students who are studying ALL the courses from Grades 7 – 12

• ·US – students who are upgrading marks for certain courses at FODE

FODE Application form 2026

The FODE study centres open in February of every year. If you are trying to get the FODE application form for 2026, check out your nearest study centre. The FODE staff are always helpful; they’ll help you out.

It is perhaps important to note that you visit your FODE centre to get the latest information. The support staff and professional staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have in regard to the:

• FODE application forms,
• enrolment info for FC and US,0
• starting dates,
• entry test and
• fees.

For those in Port Moresby and Central Province, visit the FODE centre near the Australian High Commission, Waigani.  

How to enrol at FODE

FODE enrolment points include the 22 Provincial Centres, located in the main towns. The FODE Provincial Centre or FODE Study Centre nearest to you administers the entry test, PET. The entry test measures the English and Mathematical ability level of new students who wish to continue their education FODE. If you are in Lae, check out DODL- Unitech, or in Port Moresby, UPNG Open Campus.

Here is how to enrol at a FODE:

• Discuss your intention to study with FODE Support Staff at the provincial FODE centres (recommended).
• All the students enrolling for the first time with FODE must do the Pre-Enrolment Test (PET).
• Pay a compulsory entry test fee of K50 into the FODE account.
• Sit for the English and Mathematics entry test.
• You answer sheets will be corrected at the provincial marking centre.
• Check the entry test result at your FODE centre.
• If you pass the test, you may enrol at FODE. If you fail, you will re-sit the entry test at a later time.

Some centres are charging a K75 entry test fee. To avoid any inconveniences, it is recommended that all *new* students contact their FODE centres.

PNG FODE Approved Course Programs

 For Grades 7 and 8, you are required to do all six (6) subjects.

 For Grades 9 and 10, you must complete five (5) subjects and one (1) optional to be certified. Business Studies and Design & Technology Computing are optional.

For Grade 11 and 12: the subjects are in line with the Upper Secondary Approved Matriculation and align with the courses offered in conventional secondary schools throughout the country. 

Note: From the above three subject streams, the selection of Option One is based on the PET test result placement criteria.

Important: For newly enrolled students and continuing students who are FODE, please download the detailed subject and study outline for Grades 7 & 8, 9 & 10 and 11 & 12. 

 FODE Education Strategic Direction

• Vision

“Papua New Guineans have grade 12 equivalency education and certification through flexible open distance education”

• Mission

“Pursuing quality national education through flexible open distance education (FODE) by harnessing all appropriate and affordable technologies”

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Education is New Ireland top priority - Sir Julius Chan

The Division of Education in New Ireland is ready to move forward after it had frank and open talks with the New Ireland Government and the Provincial Administration on Thursday. 

Governor Sir Julius Chan in an unusual “call out” to reprioritize Education as a pivotal sector invited the Provincial Education board to a round table talk at the New Ireland Legislative Assembly conference room. 

Present was 

• Chairlady Dr Kappa Malpo, 
• Acting Director Education Wesley Siangat, 
• Appointment officer Gerard Bekeman, 
• Acting Manager Standards Patrick Neman, 
• Senior Primary School Inspector George Choi, 
• District Education Co-ordinator Renson Warkurai, 
• Inspector Godfrey Lutham and 
• Chaiman Education of PEC Felix Katibum, 
• Provincial Administrator Lamiller Pawut, 
• CEO Finance Richard Andia and 
• Director Subsidy Iola Tamtu.

Image: New Ireland Media Unit/Facebook 2021

Recommended read: Sir Julius Chan Life in Politics - A Review of His Book ' Playing the Game

One of the key issues raised was on the standard of Education in the province and how to improve it. 

Findings included a lack of Qualified teachers teaching in all schools, a lack of School Inspectors to police standard and quality in schools, a lack of school infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of students, funding and constraints requiring improved management and financial trainings for school principles to maintain quality administration in their schools.

New Ireland Mean Rating Index (MRI)

Dr Malpo also touched on the need to improve the provinces Mean Rating Index (MRI) which is the performance average of students per school. 

“ We must aspire to give our best to each individual student if we are to see an improvement in our MRI’s. And the MRI’s have a correlation with the quality of teachers we have in our schools. 

We need qualified teachers and we must endeavour to get all teachers to Bachelor level,” said Dr Malpo.

Flexible Open Distant Education ( FODE)

The need for the introduction of more Flexible Open Distant Education ( FODE) into the province was also discussed. With the Educationists stating that just because a student does not do well through the normal education system does not mean that they are failures. 

Work on the setting up of the New Ireland University and Namatanai Technical college also continues.

Taking in the issues and suggestions by the Education team Governor Sir J relayed that while the New Ireland Government could not fix all the dilemma’s faced by the Education sector it could intervene in areas that are within the policy framework. 

He said his Government through the subsidy division has been actively allocating funds directly to schools and has separate funding specifically for the upskilling of teachers who wish to pursue higher degrees and encouraged them to utilize the program. 

For infrastructure development he made particular emphasis on the West Coast Kulube was picked to have a new high school built. He encouraged the Education Division to think new when it came to the construction of the school. 

Separate meetings will be conducted to discuss more on the rollout of Education infrastructure in the province.

Governor’s School of Excellence

The Governor’s School of Excellence located at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) International School is another positive outcome of Government policy. 

With a number of students selected through the policy getting high grades last year. 

Sir J thanked the Education Division representatives for taking time to really take stock of the current status of Education in the province, outlining areas of weakness and offering constructive solutions to improve the sector.

“ We cannot solve all the problems but we must adjust our priorities.  We all have our good and bad sides, we just need to choose and create a balance to move forward,” said Sir J.

New Ireland Education Students Population

According to New Ireland Education, it operates 560 schools. With a school a population of over 59, 765 and 2,160 teachers. The Province has improved its effort to deliver quality education across all sectors of education.

In 2019 grade 10s and 12s placed New Ireland in the Top 5 amongst other secondary schools in the country. NIP overall mean average index was 10 behind Pom, East New Britain and East Sepik. 

In 2020 the Covid pandemic contributed to almost 2 months of out of class time for all students in schools. The lost times were catered for through rearranged timetabling and extra classes in most of the examinable grades ( 8,10,12). According to results for performance in examinations for grade 8, the cut-off mark was 75 out of 150. The highest score was 146/150. For Grade 10 the MRI was 77%. All high schools moved up by 1 point. Lihir Secondary school came 10th in the country.

Source: New Ireland Provincial Govt Media Unit