- Exploring Future Foundation (EFF) founded the school in Lahore, the nation’s capital city, with the hope of providing training and skills development for transgender people.
- To be formally launched in an opening ceremony on April 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium, the school was given the name The Gender Guardian.
- Aisf Shehzad, the chief executive officer of EFF, explained that the goal of the institution is to provide educational opportunities for the marginalized and discriminated sector of the society.
A non-government organization establishes an educational institution in Pakistan that will admit transgender individuals, becoming the first transgender-only school in the country.
According to transgender news stories by the Tribune and posted on April 14, Exploring Future Foundation (EFF) founded the school in Lahore, the nation’s capital city, with the hope of providing training and skills development for transgender people.
The Gender Guardian
To be formally launched in an opening ceremony last April 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium, the school was given the name The Gender Guardian. During the event, a fund-raising activity will be held to help finance its needs and programs.
Once opened, it will offer 12 years of primary level education covering primary level school to matriculation and leading up to college. In addition, it will provide programs for transgender students to learn culinary, fashion design and make-up skills.
Aisf Shehzad, the chief executive officer of EFF, explained that the goal of the institution is to provide educational opportunities for the marginalized and discriminated sector of the society. The 15-member faculty will include three transgender instructors.
He also explained how transgender people were discriminated at an early from members of their own families.
For instance, many trans children live in isolation as their parents will keep their gender identity a secret and would refuse to discuss about it openly in fear of retaliation from the public and the negative opinions will have about them.
“Eventually, they grow up and earn a living through singing and dancing, while taking to the streets to beg in their older years,” Shehzad stated.
Skills training
Mooeza Tariq, head of EEF, also said that the training will be overseen by experts on the field of culinary, beautician courses, fashion design and other courses.
“After the completion of training, transgender people will be provided funds and services for establishment of their own businesses,” she said. She added that the second phase will consist of giving education to transgender adolescents.
Furthermore, she added that the initiative will raise awareness about the plight of transgender individuals as well as recognize their need for equality and right to live a decent life.
Officials of the school announced that they received positive response from the community, with about 40 students submitting their application for admission and will be part of the first batch of students to be accepted.
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