Pakistan opens first state-run school for transgender students: ‘A huge day for us’

Pakistan’s first state-run school for transgender students opened Thursday in the central city of Multan.

The school, which was established by the education department in the Punjab province, opened its doors on the first day of classes to 18 registered students.

“We have provided them everything that is required,” Murad Rass, Punjab’s education minister, tweeted Thursday.

The school, part of a government program entitled TransEducation, will offer classes from grade 1 to 12.

The curriculum to be used with younger kids was developed in Japan. Classes for kids ages 10 and older will be based on Pakistani education boards, according to Pakistan’s Geo Television Network.

One of the school’s teachers, Alisha Sherazi, noted the importance of the event. “It is a huge day for us and I say it is a huge day in Pakistan’s history,” Sherazi told Geo News.

Pakistan opened the first state-run school for transgender students. (Pakistan Education Minister/)

“We can understand them as we are from their community. We can guide and teach them better compared to people from the general population,” another teacher added.

Aisha Mughal, a prominent transgender rights activist, took to Twitter to celebrate “this great initiative by the education department of South Punjab.”

“Today I am so happy, proud and emotional at the same time,” Mughal tweeted.

The school is expected to enroll more students in the coming days. But to the 18 who came to their first day of classes, the situation already feels like a “dream come true.”

“I feel all my dreams will come true from now on,” one of the students told Geo News.

Another noted that, “by studying we will support our families and our community.”

Similar schools are expected to open in at least two other cities, officials said: in Dera Ghazi Khan and in Bahawalpur.