Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, has announced plans for the establishment of a transgender school at the divisional level, along with directives to ensure educational opportunities for children with special needs in at least one government school per district.
These decisions were made during a meeting convened to review proposed reforms in the province’s school education system.
During the session, CM Nawaz stated, “Transgender schools will be established at the divisional level.”
Interestingly, nine out of the 11 divisions in Punjab had previously operated schools catering to the transgender community. This initiative was undertaken by the former PTI government under the leadership of then Punjab Minister for School Education, Murad Raas.
Upon inquiry, Alisha Sherazi, Principal of the Trans Educational School System in Multan, informed Dawn that no government representatives had contacted them regarding the establishment of transgender schools, as such institutions already existed in several cities across Punjab.
Alisha Sherazi, a transgender individual and former UNDP consultant with an MPhil in Education, Planning, and Management from Burhanuddin Zakariya University, explained that three of these schools in D.G. Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur offered vocational training to transgender individuals, including IT, stitching, cooking, and makeup classes. Other schools focused primarily on academic education.
The government lacked precise data on the transgender population in Punjab, Alisha added.
During the meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz instructed relevant officials to implement a comprehensive procedure, aligning with international best practices, for the selection of CEOs, DEOs, and DDEOs in each district.
She also addressed concerns regarding delays in textbook deliveries to schools. However, officials assured her that all schools would receive textbooks by May, with 41% of the supply already completed. Additionally, they pledged to ensure textbooks are available at schools by February starting next year.
Furthermore, officials presented the CM with a new storybook on environmental pollution and climate change for educational purposes.
The meeting was attended by Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Senator-elect Pervaiz Rashid, MPA Sania Ashiq, the chief secretary, and other relevant officials.
