K-P boosts funding, widens scholarships

CM Afridi awards Rs64m to 347 students and announces Rs300m boost for KPEF

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced the provision of Rs300 million in additional funds for the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation (KPEF), with the aim of expanding educational opportunities across the province. Under the new allocation, Rs200 million will be directed to the settled districts, while Rs100 million will support students in the merged tribal districts.

The announcement was made during a scholarship distribution ceremony hosted at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar on Monday, where the provincial government awarded scholarship cheques worth Rs64 million to 347 undergraduate and graduate students studying in various universities across the country. The event was organized by the Higher Education Department (HED).

Speaking at the ceremony, the chief minister said the scholarship programme reflects the government's commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education for students from middle and low-income families. "Our goal is to ensure that no talented student abandons their education due to financial constraints," he emphasized. "Students in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are capable and ambitious. They only need opportunities and proper facilities."

Afridi added that today's students will lead the province and country tomorrow, which is why the government is prioritizing investment in youth development. "Aligned with the vision of leader Imran Khan, our government is focusing on our young generation. Providing quality education and better health facilities are our foremost priorities," he said.

The chief minister further announced plans to introduce market-driven academic disciplines across the province to equip students with skills that meet national and international job market demands. "We want our graduates not only to secure employment immediately after completing their education but also to become individuals capable of creating jobs for others," he remarked.

Afridi also revealed that the provincial government is launching an internship programme aimed at preventing youth unemployment and supporting their transition into the workforce. "All our policies are focused on public welfare. We will demonstrate improved governance and effective service delivery," he added.

Earlier, officials briefed the participants that more than 15,000 applications were received this year for the scholarships offered under the Chief Minister's Education Endowment Fund and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation. The selection process is conducted through an online portal that ensures transparency and automation.