Zubair Qureshi
First time in the history of the country, an inclusive learning center for Khawajasara (Transgender) was inaugurated on Tuesday with an aim to bring this much-neglected and highly-exploited segment of society into the mainstream. Federal Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain formally inaugurated the transgender learning centre and expressed pleasure at finding passion for learning among the transgender community.
“Just like any other member of this state, it is their right enshrined in the constitution to receive education” the minister asserted. Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, Rana Tanveer further said that education should be given to every individual, regardless of their gender, race, and religion. He said, “I firmly believed that by providing opportunities to the transgender community, we would bring them into the mainstream and enable them to play a vital role in the country’s uplift.” The inclusive learning center for khawajasara (transgender) 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 organizations, to ensure the success and sustainability of this noble endeavor. The minister extended his felicitation and gratitude to all the stakeholders, including the Managing Director (MD) of the National Education Foundation (NEF), for the role in making this project a huge success. He also expressed his commitment to establishing a complete formal educational institute in future, specifically tailored to enroll transgender learners for comprehensive education. Additionally, he stressed the importance of vocational skills to ensure economic stability for the transgender community. Secretary Ministry of Federal Education Waseem Ajmal Chaudhary while speaking on the occasion highlighted the steps for educating children aged 5-16 years and explained how the project was coined and initiated under the direction of the Education 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, said Waseem Ajmal Chaudhary. He also announced a Rs500 honorarium per day for learners on showing 75pc attendance to help them fulfill their financial needs and to encourage them to get education.
