Telangana News

For the first of its kind in India, a transgender school was opened in Kerala. Writer and transgender activist Kalki Subramaniam inaugurated the school Sahaj International at Thrikkakara in Kerala’s Ernakulam district.

Aiming to provide equal opportunities to transgenders who have dropped out from schools, the institution stated that, students would be given training and opportunities to write 10th and 12th standard exams. The learning centre would work in collaboration with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). 

"This is a historic day. We have started a learning centre for transgenders. Kerala being the pioneer, other states can also follow. Education is the most powerful tool to enlighten the underprivileged,” Kalki said.

She further added that since family and society rejects transgenders, they are forced to beg and do sex works on the streets. She urged that this situation had to change. “Education can show the way for us,” she opined.

Ernakulam-based activist and family counselor Vijayaraja Mallika along with few other activists, have started this initiative, along with few other activists. The school will be headed by six transgenders under a foundation.