KARACHI: The Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, approved the draft of Pakistan’s first “Transgender Education Policy.”
According to the details, a transgender category will be introduced on school and college admission forms, and to allocate quotas for transgender during teacher recruitment.
The policy was finalised during the meeting attended by Secretary of School Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi, Chief Executive Advisor Fauzia Khan, Director of Non-Formal Education Abdul Jabbar Mari, Deputy Director Atif Waghio, and other officials.
The meeting was informed that, according to the 2023 census, 20,331 transgender individuals live in Pakistan, with 4,222 living in Sindh. However, the research conducted by NGOs estimated that over 22,065 transgender individuals live in Sindh. As per USAID study, 42 percent of transgender people are minimally educated and 40 percent have no access to education.
The meeting was also informed that assistance from transgender advocates was crucial in drafting the policy. The policy was prepared by incorporating all research on the educational needs and rights of the transgender community.
The Education Minister said that the curriculum for transgender would be designed in such a manner that it would meet the needs of transgender children and there should be safe centers with non-formal education training centers. Moreover, it will ensure awareness among the teachers about the psychological and educational needs of transgender students.
