“The United States government is committed to supporting Pakistan in its efforts to improve the quality of basic education through better prepared teachers,” remarked Jock Conly, the USAID Mission Director.  “This scholarship program is yet another expression of the U.S. government’s long- term commitment to help build a stronger, more prosperous and Roshan Pakistan.”  

 

Speaking at the occasion, Minister of Education, AJK, Abdul Waheed Mian thanked the people of the United States for providing the resources for the scholarship program that will ultimately improve the quality of education for thousands of Pakistanis. 

 

This Azad Jammu & Kashmir scholarship program is part of a larger $75 million USAID Teacher Education Project.  In addition, USAID works closely with the Government of Pakistan to develop and implement innovative curricula for two recently-launched degree programs:  a four-year Bachelor degree in Education and a two-year Associate Degree in Education.  A total of 1,900 students across Pakistan will be awarded scholarships under this project.  More than 100 scholarships were awarded to students in Azad Jammu and Kashmir previously. 

 

The USAID basic education program seeks to bring 3.2 million children to reading at or above grade level over the next five years by improving instructional quality and strengthening education systems.  USAID works to increase the number of children learning to read by: transforming the way teachers teach; promoting active community involvement in school governance; reforming government institutions; and promoting public-private partnerships. 

 

This Azad Jammu & Kashmir scholarship program is just one part of a comprehensive U.S. education assistance program which includes building or rehabilitating nearly 800 schools; launching new degree programs in education at 90 teacher colleges and universities; providing scholarships for 12,000 students to study in Pakistan; and operating the largest Fulbright academic exchange program in the world.