On Sep 16, 2021 in Islamabad: USAID Education Support Program Pronounced Game Changer in KPK. United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its reconstruction support program partnering with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, rebuilt the educational sector of the province in full gear, which proved great game changer and benefited the public in every way.
USAID reconstructed and repaired more than 976 public schools so far, which were destroyed and dented due to militancy and devastating flood in the province. Four faculty of education buildings at different universities and two teacher education colleges have been renovated.
Through the path breaking program, USAID also trained more than 14,000 teachers and awarded nearly 13,000 scholarships to students and professionals in the province. In addition, USAID distributed more than 3 million library books and reading material in the Province. Through reconstruction, repair and improved learning environment benefited approximately one million students.
USAID had been focusing not only rebuilding the educational infrastructure, but also quality education, which ultimately supported economic growth, strengthens resilience, and promotes sustainable development.
It is worth mentioning that the overall literacy rate in the newly merged districts was 28 percent and only eight percent among women. Addressing these challenges, USAID’s education programs improved the reading abilities of schoolchildren and conferred scholarships to underprivileged and deserving young men and women, which helped them to get university level education.
USAID had been playing pleasing role for the higher education program, through which it offered competitive grants to deserving and financially disadvantaged students in different fields, like agriculture and business administration.
It is noteworthy that from 2007 to 2013, militants attacked different educational institutions in Malakand division; most of them were women schools. Overall militants demolished 309 school buildings, which included 134 in Swat, 20 in Lower deer, 13 in Buner, 3 in Upper Deer and others in other areas of the division.
According to the PRRSA data, 180 out of 309 schools were completely, however 129 were partially damaged in terrorist actions. Terrorists in KPK province had destroyed 384 educational buildings and damaged 476 school buildings.
In Mohmand Agency, from 2009 to 2016, militants demolished 127 public school buildings.
The residents of the province are pleased that their children are now able to go schools, which were devastated due to militants’ actions and natural calamities. The education rate in the province is swelling and underprivileged children are capable to get higher education due to USAID Education Support Program.
