AIOU launches free education programme for transgenders

ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has initiated a programme to deliver free education to transgenders across the country.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui has said that the projects is an attempt to uplift the stigma attached to the marginalised section of the society.

He said that through the program, they hope to return the long-lost self-respect and provide dignity to the transgender community and make them responsible citizens of society.

He said that they have received a positive response from the community and have already started receiving applications for the programme. Applicants can apply for Autumn 2017 semester till October 10.

He also informed that AIOU has been providing free education from matriculation to PhD level to handicapped, visually impaired students and even jail inmates.

The students are provided with computerized facilities to aid their learning. This enables special students to access library independently.

Furthermore, he said that fourty-four centres have been setup in regional offices and are accessable by students across the country.

The university has also introduced programs in Chakwal, Nankana Sahib, Kharian and Thatta to provide free education to those girls who dropped out of school.

He said he visited the program centre in Thatta where 400 girls cleared Grade 8 exams and 377 among them proceeded to take admission in matric.