Father achieves grade 12 qualification

Ignatius Marum, a father of two from Komat village in Lihir, New Ireland Province, recently completed his
Grade 12 studies through a Flexible Open Distance Education [FODE] program in New Ireland.

The program is delivered through a three-year partnership between Newmont, the Australian NGO KTF, and the New Ireland Provincial Government.

The initiative, supported by over K10 million in funding from Newmont, aims to upskill teachers and support the integration of early childhood education in schools across the province.

Four FODE centers have been established in Lamasong, Warangansau, Lihir, and Silom, providing teachers
like Marum the opportunity to meet updated education standards by earning their Grade 12 qualifications.

These centers also train teachers to deliver quality education to children as young as four. Marum, whose education ended in 1998 after completing Grade 10, described the FODE program as a lifeline. He was one of 362 students enrolled last year, 88% of whom were teachers studying to upgrade from grades 9 to 12.

Marum also achieved a grade point average high enough to pursue his five-year plan of completing a
Diploma of Junior Primary Teaching.

“Participating in the Flexible Open Distance Education program was enriching. It enabled me to explore new concepts and expand on my existing knowledge. My dream is to become a primary school teacher, and I am happy that the program has been a stepping stone towards achieving that dream,” he said.

Marum is also one of 50 teachers, including 26 from Lihir, who completed the Early Years training program.

This vital program is part of the three-year initiative, providing initial teacher training and early years
classroom set-ups to support early childhood education.

Mactil Bais, Government Liaison Lead at Newmont’s Kavieng Office, said the gold mining company is deeply committed to supporting education in New Ireland and across Papua New Guinea more broadly.

“Newmont regards education as an investment in the prosperity and resilience of the future generation of
Papua New Guinea,” said Ms Bais.

“The academic success of these teachers is a powerful reminder of how well-designed educational
programs, supported by strong partnerships, can empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create lasting opportunities,” she added