21 candidates pass the Class 10 equivalency exam under the ‘Samanwaya’ scheme
Members of the transgender community were all praise on Monday for a State Literacy Mission programme, which, they said, helped in their struggle to be accepted by the society.
Sharing experiences
They shared their experiences at a felicitation organised by the mission for 21 candidates who passed the Class 10 equivalency examination under ‘Samanwaya’, the mission’s continuing education programme for transgenders.
Bobby Jose, a transgender from Idukki, said that the programme helped them gain acceptance in the society and lead normal lives.
“We are not different. We have an identity. It is the Literacy Mission that gave us the strength to speak up. We have had to face insults even from our families. But now, the society in general accepts us,” Bobby was quoted as saying in a Literacy Mission statement.
Education becomes complete when formal and informal educational systems converge. All sections of the society should benefit from new discoveries and knowledge, Education Minister C. Raveendranath said.
Mission director P.S. Sreekala, assistant director Vijayamma, and ‘Samanwaya’ coordinator E.V. Anil Kumar were present.
All 21 candidates have enrolled for the Class 12 equivalency programme.