PESHAWAR: The United States (US) Department of State funded ‘English Works’ (EW) Program was inaugurated at the Rural Empowerment and Institutional Development (REPID) in a virtual ceremony here, where 100 students were awarded fully funded scholarships.
The program is aimed to boost students’ English proficiency skills, develop computer literacy, and prepare them for the job market. The US Consul General in Peshawar Richard H. Riley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Labour and Culture Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, and the Chief Executive Officer of REPID, Shah Jehan attended the opening ceremony.
Consul General Riley lauded REPID for its management of the EW Program and training that support undeserved youth. While addressing the session CG Riley said, “I can’t emphasise enough how important the US views education, particularly for boys and girls in areas affected by conflict. We can only hope for a better future if we equip young students with the knowledge and confidence to make their voices heard.”
KP minister Shaukat Ali Yousafzai while praising the efforts of the US Embassy in Pakistan expressed hope that the scope of English Works! and other such programs will be further expanded in future and more students will be awarded scholarships. During the ceremony, REPID’s CEO Shah Jehan expressed interest to continue collaborating with the U.S. Embassy for the welfare of youth.
The Program focuses on empowering under-resourced youth between the ages of 17 to 25 years to develop their entrepreneurial skills by equipping them with latest skills. Project Coordinator Ismat Bahar said that it will benefit the minorities, Transgender and differently-abled persons as well. As part of the program students are awarded tablet devices and internet packages to attend classes uninterrupted after school hours.
Since the program’s inception in 2018, hundreds of students have been awarded scholarships under the English Works program in KP.