District Khyber has a population of approximately 986,000 people, with a literacy rate of 49.4%. While there are technical and vocational institutes in the district, the female literacy rate stands at 17%. Despite a good number of primary schools for both boys and girls, gender disparity becomes apparent at the middle school level and widens at the high secondary level. Girls’ education in District Khyber faces significant challenges, including limited access to quality education, socio-cultural barriers, and restricted vocational training opportunities. Efforts are underway to address these issues and promote girls’ education in the region.
De Laas Gul Welfare Program (DLG) has a long-standing relationship with the tribal areas, now known as the newly merged districts, and has successfully completed numerous projects. Recently, DLG distributed education kits to 20 students at Government Girls High School Jamrud Khyber as part of their third-year education kit program. Each kit contained essential items such as shoes, uniforms, sweaters, socks, notebooks, a bag, geometry book, and practical set. The program aims to increase the literacy rate, particularly for girls, and minimize the burden of educational expenses on parents, enabling students to complete secondary school.
The program’s purpose is to alleviate the burden of education constraints on parents, who often struggle to support their daughters’ education beyond secondary school. School Principal Madam Tahira, Female ASDEO Jamshaid Bangash, and Focal Person for District Khyber, Mr. Ibrahim Shah, were present during the kit distribution. Principal Madam Khalida expressed gratitude for DLG’s continued support and requested expansion of the program to other schools in the district. ASDEO Madam Jamshaida Bangash appreciated the efforts of DLG and the Scottish Government for providing scholarship opportunities, noting that programs like this bring revolutionary changes to the community, especially during times of high inflation when parents are forced to drop out their children due to affordability issues. The students, teachers, principal, and ASDEO appreciated the joint effort of DLG, BC, and the Scottish government for their support.
