The higher secondary equivalency course examination, conducted by the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority, was recently cleared by 18 people belonging to the transgender community, qualifying them for higher studies, reported The Logical Indian.
The examination was taken by 22 candidates in total, out of which 18 candidates cleared the exam. The highest number of successful candidates was from Pathanamthitta with eight, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (five), Kollam (two), and Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur having one each.
Sources say that this group was part of the state’s ‘Samanwaya’ project, the literacy mission providing free classes from IV to XII for transgenders, along with a monthly scholarship, and is also the first batch to have cleared the Class XII equivalency program.
The Social Justice Department said, “…community members have registered for Class 4, 7, 10, and higher secondary equivalent courses. Through this scheme the transgender persons can continue their education which would increase their employment opportunities and help them to get a job and thereby lead a quality life.”