MULTAN: In a groundbreaking move towards inclusivity, Multan has unveiled cutting-edge labs dedicated to providing quality education and technical training for the transgender community.
These state-of-the-art facilities, a result of collaboration between the Department of School Education South Punjab and Unesco, were inaugurated at the Government Girls Comprehensive Higher Secondary School – the city’s first transgender school.
Established under the UNESCO-supported project, the labs offer training in diverse fields such as computer skills, cooking, beautification, sewing, and embroidery. A memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year paved the way for this transformative initiative.
The project aims to enhance the education infrastructure for transgender individuals, providing not only professional education but also essential technical skills. Yusuf Dalali Maknesi, Unesco’s Country Director for Pakistan, emphasized that these labs ensure the holistic development of transgender people, contributing not just to education but also vital life skills.
The collaboration between Unesco and South Punjab School Education is set to expand, with a commitment to further cooperation in transgender education projects. “Unesco will continue its cooperation with the Department of School Education regarding the easy access of the people to the basic and mandatory right to education in South Punjab,” Maknesi stated.
Expressing satisfaction with the quality of vocational training, Maknesi urged students to study with dedication. Notably, free textbooks, stationery, uniforms, and shoes will be provided to transgender school students as part of this initiative.
In attendance at the inauguration were Additional Secretary Khawaja Mazharul Haque, trans education consultant Alisha Shirazi, and South Punjab School Education Secretary Dr Obaidullah Khokhar. Dr. Khokhar highlighted the department’s commitment to transgender education, emphasizing practical steps to educate and skill the transgender community.
The event also shed light on the successful “Accelerated Learning Program,” where transgender students progress through classes based on their age. Hina Chaudhry, the focal person of the Trans Education Project, revealed that within two years, transgender school students have excelled in matriculation and intermediate examinations, showcasing their academic merit.
Not only focusing on formal education, the students are also economically empowered through training in fields like tailoring, dress designing, and beautification. The event saw the collective commitment of officials, educators, and members of the transgender community towards making education inclusive and empowering for all.
