DERA ISMAIL KHAN, JAN 13 (APP/DNA): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has awarded Rs 9.6 million in scholarships to 60 meritorious students of Dera Ismail Khan under the ‘Stori Da Pakhtunkhwa Scholarship Programme’, reaffirming its commitment to promoting merit and supporting talented youth.
The scholarships were distributed during a dignified cheque distribution ceremony held at Mufti Mahmood School and College under the auspices of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Dera Ismail Khan.
Commissioner Dera Dawood Khan attended the event as chief guest while BISE Dera Chairman Professor Dr. Ehsan Ullah, Controller/Secretary Dr. Qayyum Nawaz, Assistant Controller Tariq Javed, Assistant to the Commissioner Sajjad Baloch, students, parents and other guests were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, Commissioner Dawood Khan said the ‘Stori Da Pakhtunkhwa programme’ is a significant initiative aimed at encouraging academic excellence and enabling deserving students, particularly from public sector institutions, to continue their educational journey with confidence. He stressed that the provincial government is committed to strengthening merit-based initiatives and investing in human capital.
During the ceremony, scholarship cheques worth Rs 120,000 each were distributed among top 20 position holders of Matric Science group in 2024 Annual exams, top 20 of FA/FSc students get Rs 180,000 each, and 20 outstanding students from the college side of year-2022 students received Rs 360,000 each.
The commissioner highlighted that the modern era demands intense competition and urged students to strive for excellence in every field. He appreciated the reforms introduced by BISE Dera, including e-marking and digital registration, saying these measures would improve transparency and efficiency. He also congratulated the Chairman, Controller and staff of the education board for organizing the event successfully.
Chairman BISE Dera Professor Dr. Ehsan Ullah congratulated the scholarships holder students and described the programme as a commendable step by the provincial government to motivate talented students. He reiterated the board’s commitment to merit and transparency, announcing that e-marking would be implemented in the 2026 examinations. He added that examination centers would be established within a three-kilometer radius by merging nearby institutions, while registration, roll number slips and issuance of certificates were being fully digitized.
He further informed that construction work on the new BISE Dera building was progressing rapidly and would soon provide students with modern facilities. He urged upon the students to combine quality education with strong character to contribute positively to the nation.
Controller/Secretary Dr. Qayyum Nawaz said the scholarship programme not only provides financial assistance but also serves as encouragement for students to pursue higher education and achieve their academic ambitions.
