Sindh, Pakistan (CU)_ The announcement was made following a three-hour meeting between Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and the leaders of the transgender community, including Bindya Rana of the Gender Interactive Alliance, Zehrish Khanzadi, Shahzadi Rai, and Dr Sara Gill of Moorat Interactive Society. Additionally, as part of the policy for this population, information about them will be incorporated to the syllabus to help the next generation understand the transgender community. The minister stated, “It will help students to respect and provide a space to these people”.
The Sindh education department has implemented the province’s first-ever ‘transgender education policy’ in order to assist the transgender population in obtaining education. Individuals in the transgender population who have not completed their schooling will be given the opportunity to pursue their schooling. Additionally, the transgender individuals would be given the opportunity to become teachers as well.
During a media interview, Shah told reporters, “There is no transgender policy anywhere in Pakistan”. He added that the transgender individuals can complete their primary schooling in two years rather than five years through this informal education system. Shah remarked, “Those who did not get the opportunity to get an education will have the option to get their education now”. He stated that the provincial government will assist this group in the education sector to ensure that they can fulfill their societal obligations.
There are about 18,000 transgender individuals registered in Karachi. Following the discussion, Rana reported that the city of Karachi has over 18,000 registered transgender people. He said, “Roughly, there are about 40,000 transgender people in Sindh”. Additionally, Rana stated that the discussion with the education minister marked a watershed moment in launching the community’s major initiatives. Highlighting that the majority of the community members need education, Rana said, “Most of our people cannot continue their education after matriculation”.
Shah explained adding that meetings would soon be held to address transgender education policy. He said, “But it is not possible for them to continue it because of financial reasons and social taboos. I hope we will have it by next education year”. Partab Shivani, the chief of Thar Education Alliance, spoke on the subject, stating that the public should change their perception towards transgender individuals. He said, “It’s a really great initiative if education policy for the community is introduced and they are treated as human beings like others”.
