ISLAMABAD: Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain on Tuesday inaugurated the first learning institute for transgender community. Besides providing free education, the government will also pay Rs500 per day to those students who will have 75pc attendance.

The financial incentive has been made part of the education programme to mitigate economic challenges and encourage transgender persons to get education.

The Inclusive Learning Centre for Khawajasara (transgender persons) was inaugurated in the Federal Directorate of Education-run school in G-8 sector.

The centre will offer education to transgender persons in the school in the evening shift.

Govt to pay Rs500 per day to students who will maintain 75pc attendance

According to an official of the education ministry, two more centres will be set up in the capital.

This centre has already enrolled 35 students, who will start getting education after the end of the ongoing summer vacation.

Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain expressed his pleasure and gratitude to witness the inauguration of this centre, highlighting the nobility of the initiative.

“It is their right to receive education, just like any other member of this state,” he asserted while inaugurating the centre.

Emphasising the importance of inclusivity, the minister stated: “Education should be given to every individual, regardless of their gender, race and religion.”

He firmly believed that by providing opportunities to the transgender community, they can play a vital role in the development of the country.

He said the Inclusive Learning Centre for Khawajasara (transgender person) represents a bold step towards building a more inclusive and equal society, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation’s progress.

“As we embark on this transformative journey, we invite the support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including government institutions, private sector entities, and civil society organisations to ensure the success and sustainability of this noble endeavor.”

The minister extended his gratitude to all stakeholders, including the managing director of the National Education Foundation (NEF), for their role in making this project a reality.

He also expressed his commitment to establishing a complete formal educational institute in the future, specifically tailored to enroll transgender learners for comprehensive education.

Moreover, the minister stressed the importance of imparting vocational skills to the transgender community.

Speaking on the occasion, Education Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhary explained how this project was initiated under the direction of the minister.

“The accelerated learning plan will provide transgender individuals with basic education, and subsequently, they will be linked with vocational training institutes to acquire essential skills,” he said and announced Rs500 honorarium per day for learners on showing 75pc attendance for encouraging transgender to get education.

Speaking to Dawn, the education secretary said 35 students had already enrolled and they have been provided free books and gowns.

To a question, he said with the start of the upcoming academic session next month, the centre would start functioning properly.

The secretary said special accelerated learning programme would be taught to these students and a teacher of transgender community has also been engaged for teaching.

“While we aspire to ensuring that we don’t create parallel systems of education and one day have a mainstream education system inclusive enough to cater to the needs of all citizens, we recognise that this is a step in the right direction, ensuring transgender community’s access to learning opportunities along with vocational training to contribute to their earning,” he said and added initially three learning centres will be set up as a pilot project and transgender community will be provided free and quality education along with technical skills in demand driven trades after consultation with the communities.

He said that accelerating learning programme curriculum will be opted which will be completed in 32 months qualifying for primary completion certificate and classes will be held 4 days in a week with flexible hours.

Managing Director of the National Education Foundation Tahira S. Shaikh expressed her heartfelt thanks to minister and secretary for ensuring opening of this centre.

Transgender rights activists Nayyab Ali and Saba Gul also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders and the government for this initiative.

They emphasised that education was the key to the development of any nation and thanked the National Education Foundation for extending this opportunity to the transgender community.

They also urged the government to provide loans to transgender individuals to help them set up businesses and regain their dignity.

Reem Sharif, who attended the event, shared her personal experiences and challenges as a transgender government officer and expressed her deep appreciation for the inclusion of transgender individuals in educational institutes.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2023