Sindh Minister of Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah announced the approval of Pakistan’s first draft for a “Transgender Education Policy.” The draft, which aims to address the educational needs and barriers faced by transgender individuals, received unanimous support in a meeting chaired by Minister Shah and attended by prominent education officials, including Sindh’s Secretary of School Education, Zahid Ali Abbasi, and Chief Executive Adviser Fozia Khan. The policy proposes several key initiatives, starting with the addition of a distinct “transgender” category on school and college admission forms alongside male and female options.
It also introduces reserved job quotas for transgender individuals in teaching positions to promote representation and inclusivity within the education system. Once approved by the cabinet, this policy will become a historic legislative milestone in Pakistan. According to the 2023 census, there are 20,331 transgender people in Pakistan, with 4,222 residing in Sindh.
However, the NGO Charity Trans Action Pakistan estimates the national transgender population is closer to 250,000. Recent studies, including those from USAID, reveal that educational access is highly limited for transgender individuals: 42% are only marginally literate, while 40% lack formal education entirely. Research conducted with transgender advocates for this draft identified approximately 22,065 transgender individuals in Sindh, indicating a pressing need for supportive educational structures.
Minister Shah addressed the unique educational challenges faced by transgender individuals, highlighting societal prejudice, financial constraints, and a lack of employment opportunities as primary obstacles.
The constant threat of harassment further discourages many from enrolling in educational institutions. Shah also acknowledged the absence of a curriculum tailored to transgender students, which this policy aims to address by establishing specialized schools and non-formal training centers to cater to transgender students’ needs. Teacher training is a central focus, aiming to equip educators with the tools to understand and support the psychological and educational challenges that transgender children encounter.
The policy also includes skill development programs designed to provide transgender individuals with practical, employable skills, creating pathways to respectable employment. The draft emphasizes creating safe, anti-harassment environments for transgender students, with support groups in schools to help them manage societal pressures. Following cabinet approval, public awareness campaigns will be launched across television, radio, social media, and print platforms to promote equal educational opportunities for transgender individuals.
Mentorship programs featuring successful transgender figures will further inspire and encourage transgender students to pursue their educational goals. Minister Shah expressed optimism about the policy’s impact, stating that by enabling access to education, transgender individuals will have better opportunities for dignified employment and social inclusion. He also mentioned potential collaborations with the Benazir Income Support Program to provide educational resources to underprivileged transgender students.
