The Flexible, Open and Distance Education program is advancing its efforts to make education more accessible across Papua New Guinea, with new digital platforms and expanded services reaching thousands of students. Secretary for Education, Dr Uke Kombra, said the program has achieved major milestones, including the pilot of Moodle online courses for Grade 11 and 12 students in selected centers, and the digitization of courses for Grades 7 to 10. “We are committed to ensuring no student is left behind. Our digitization and expansion plans align directly with the national goal of inclusive and accessible education for all,” Dr Kombra said. Dr Kombra explained that FODE is no longer considered an alternate pathway, but an essential service that must be available in every LLG. More than 80,000 students were enrolled in 2024, with numbers continuing to grow. FODE currently operates in all 22 provinces and has begun expanding services into districts and LLGs. Partnerships with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and NICTA are strengthening the quality and capacity of the digital courses. While progress has been encouraging, Dr Kombra emphasized the need for long-term investment. “To sustain growth and deliver quality learning, FODE requires increased funding of around K20 million annually, as well as additional staffing and infrastructure support,” he said. Looking ahead, FODE plans to expand further into secondary, high, and vocational schools, while continuing to roll out online learning platforms nationwide. Pilot programs in the NCD and Central Province have already demonstrated that digital learning is both feasible and effective. Dr Kombra called on the government, provincial administrations, and stakeholders to back the program’s expansion. “We urge all partners to prioritize capacity building, infrastructure development, and sustainable funding so that every Papua New Guinean child has a pathway to education.”