No student will drop out over finances: CM

Says govt will support students; announces scholarships for merged districts

SWABI:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday vowed that no student in the province would be forced to abandon their education due to financial constraints.

He expressed these views while inaugurating a new faculty apartment at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIK) and announcing special scholarships for students from the merged districts.

During his visit to the engineering institute in Swabi, the chief minister said, "Whenever students require assistance or support of any kind, Imran Khan's provincial government will always stand by them".

He announced 20 dedicated scholarships for students from the merged districts enrolled at GIK, saying his administration was committed to expanding access to higher education.

He stressed that "no child in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be forced to abandon their education due to financial constraints", urging students to bring forward innovative ideas.

The provincial government, he assured them, was "committed to encouraging and supporting every initiative that can contribute to the progress of the province and the country".

"Strong institutions form the foundation of a strong state. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we strengthen our institutions and make their betterment a top priority."

Welcoming students from all parts of the country, he added that they should consider GIK "their home".

The chief minister expressed satisfaction that GIK had become "a powerful symbol of national unity" and appreciated its merit-based and transparent admissions system.

He noted that "more than 500 female students are currently enrolled in the engineering department, which is a matter of pride not only for the institute but for the entire province".

Afridi advised students to stay focused on their goals, saying that achieving any objective required "intention, direction and effort".

When individuals or institutions work with sincerity and clarity of purpose, he said, "positive outcomes naturally follow".

He praised the Board of Governors, administration and faculty members for maintaining the institute's standards and assured them of the provincial government's full support in their continued efforts.

It is worth noting that earlier this month, the K-P government formally approved the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) education across all public schools, marking a major shift towards modernising the province's academic landscape.

Under the new initiative, the National Artificial Intelligence Course will be taught from Grade 6 onward in government schools. The Education Department has been directed to take necessary steps to ensure the availability of resources, trained staff and essential facilities required for the programme.

Officials said that AI education was crucial for preparing students in a rapidly changing world, as digital and technological skills become indispensable.

The government aims to equip the youth with the competence needed to compete in future challenges and emerging job markets.

The provincial administration has termed the launch of AI education a "revolutionary step" that will bring significant progress to the education system and empower the next generation with advanced knowledge and capabilities.