Thiruvananthapuram: A scholarship programme is being launched this month to support the education of transgender community.
Scholarships will be given to
145 transgender
persons who have enrolled for
Samanwaya, an
equivalency programme launched by state
literacy mission to ensure that all community members have basic school education.
A sum of Rs 1,000/month will be given to applicants who have registered for IV, VII and X equivalency course with the mission while Rs 1,250/month will be given to those who have enrolled for higher secondary equivalency programme.
Minister for social justice KK Shailaja will inaugurate the scholarship distribution at PWD Guest House on June 28.
Samanwaya was launched in January and scholarships till June end will be distributed at the event. From July, it will be provided every month.
Also, during the course of study, literacy mission will arrange shelter homes for enrolled students in districts where over 10 transgenders have registered for the programme.
They are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.
“I think this is the first such education programme for transgender persons. Literacy mission aims to provide financial support and security by launching scholarships and shelter homes. Though education programme is free, the scholarship will help meet their basic needs. We are implementing a part of government’s policy for their welfare and funds provided by social justice department will be utilized for the same,” said director of state literacy programme PS Sreekala.
In a survey conducted by the mission before the launch of Samanwaya, a total of 948 transgenders were identified across Kerala in the first phase, of these 145 enrolled for the education programme.
Literacy Mission has planned a vocational training programmes at shelter homes.
“The vocational training programme will be based on their interests and skills. Accommodation and food will be free too,” added Sreekala.