On Thursday, July 8th, transgender people from Multan were able to attend their first class at a school in the Gulgasht area. The school is a pilot project and is established under “Transeducation”.
The building was inaugurated by the Punjab government. It is located in the Government Girls Comprehensive Higher Secondary School. According to South Punjab Education Secretary Dr. Ehtesham Anwar, up till now, 18 trans students have been registered in the school in its first phase.
Class timings: The school doesn’t run during usual school hours. Instead, classes are held from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Uniforms, Course Books, Pick & Drop Services Provided
Like all schools, this school is also divided into groups: primary, elementary, secondary, and higher secondary. Trans students have been provided with school items that include course books and uniforms. To further facilitate this marginalized group, the government has also provided pick and drop services to students.
Anwar added, “In the next phase, we will introduce a vocational training program for them which will include hairdressing, makeup, tailoring, and cooking courses.” While educating trans individuals, it is also important that they learn skills in order to be able to earn a decent livelihood in the future.
In Pakistan, the trans community is finally getting its due recognition. They are finally proving to be hard-working citizens and continuously aiming to increase their quality of life. The educated individuals from the community are hired to teach students, volunteer teachers, etc. Following the project in Multan, reportedly, similar projects will be launched in the near future.
The Gender Guardian: Pakistan’s First School for Transgender Students (Exclusive Interview). Read the full story here:
Despite the 2018 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act passed by the parliament, transgender people in Pakistan are still victims of sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination at the hands of the local police and the public. Almost every day, trans is being mistreated in some part of the country because of lacking stringent laws that protect their rights.
The Gender Guardian: Pakistan’s First School for Transgender Students (Exclusive Interview)
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