Under MYR Program
Wheelchairs, hearing aid accessories, and walking stands also distributed among physically challenged students
Peshawar
Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Khalid Khan, distributed 460 Android tablets among teachers of government schools, terming the initiative a landmark achievement under the Multi-Year Resilience Program (MYRP). He said the step would promote digital literacy and equip both teachers and students with essential technological skills needed for future employment and daily life.
He was addressing a ceremony organized by the Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS), VSO International, and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) at PUTA Hall, University of Peshawar. The event was attended by VSO International Country Representative Seher Afsheen, PRDS Chief Executive Arjumand Shah, provincial head of MYRP Tariq Hayat Yousafzai, education department officials, educationists, and a large number of students.
On the occasion, the Secretary also distributed wheelchairs, hearing aid accessories, and walking stands among physically challenged students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Seher Afsheen highlighted the achievements of the MYR Program, stating that its main objective is to provide comprehensive, equitable, and standardized education to vulnerable children in northern and western regions of Pakistan affected by crises or other factors. She said the initiative has facilitated thousands of students, including children with disabilities.
PRDS Chief Executive Arjumand Shah shared that during Phase-I of MYRP, 1,136 tablets were distributed among teachers in government schools of Peshawar, Charsadda, and Nowshera, while a total of 1,596 tablets have been distributed so far. He added that Community Learning and Early Childhood Education Centers were established, benefiting over 6,000 children, while hygiene kits and other missing facilities were provided in 72 schools.
Provincial Head of MYRP Tariq Hayat informed that under the Distance Learning Program, 1,223 female students were offered scholarships to complete matric education through Allama Iqbal Open University. He said the Catch-up Learning Program benefited 4,844 previously out-of-school children, while over 1,200 students, including girls, received vocational training in skills such as tailoring, beautician work, CCTV installation, and digital marketing.
He added that more than 4,000 saplings were planted in schools to raise environmental awareness among students.
Secretary Khalid Khan appreciated the objectives and success of the MYR Program, particularly its health screening component, emphasizing the importance of periodic health assessments for schoolchildren. He underscored the need for equipping both teachers and students with digital and technical education to meet modern challenges.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of shields among guests and high-performing program officials.
