KARACHI: In a major step towards increasing educational opportunities for the transgender community and removing barriers to education, the Sindh government has decided to provide higher education scholarships to transgender students under the Sindh Education Endowment Fund (SEEF).
In this regard, a delegation of the transgender community met with Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah on Thursday.
The delegation apprised the minister of the issuesfaced by the transgender community, especially the difficulties students encounter in securing admission to educational institutions and continuing their education.
It emphasised that many members of the community want to overcome traditional economic and social barriers bypursuing education and securing positions in mainstream employment and professional sectors with dignity and respect. For this purpose, they require government patronage, a conducive educational environment and effective policy measures.
The education minister said that special approval would be sought at a board meeting of the SEEF to facilitate higher education for transgender students.
The delegation included Shahzadi Rai, focal person for the Transgender Community in Sindh and City Councillor of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation; Zahrish Khanzadi, operations, human resources and policy manager of Gender Interactive Alliance; and Kami Chaudhry, executive director of Sarbang Society. -Staff Reporter