KABUL: United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund(UNICEF) has encouraged the US State Department to reconsider suspending the Fulbright programme for Afghanistan, which gives talented Afghan kids with chances to build their future.
In 1952, the Fulbright programme was established in Afghanistan. According to reports, it was discontinued in 1997 and then re-launched in 2003 when the US and allies entered the country in 2001. Around 960 Afghan students have received Fulbright grants over the last 18 years.
UNICEF Afghanistan's Chief of Communication, Advocacy, and Civic Engagement, Sam Mort, expressed disappointment over the program's suspension on Twitter. "Afghanistan's youth require all educational opportunities available to them. She stated, "Education is the foundation of their future."
"Please think about it. Please go above and beyond for them. Put yourself in their position." ABC News previously reported that the US State Department is evaluating whether or not to give Fulbright scholarships to Afghan students. The suspension comes as a shock to the 140 Afghan students who were awarded scholarships but are now in limbo.
"On January 29, we received notice from the US that the Fulbright programme for Afghanistan had been cancelled, and that no students from Afghanistan would be accepted into the programme going forward."
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