Sahaj International School in Kochi will become the first ever residential school to be run exclusively for the transgender community in the nation. The school will be inaugurated by transgender rights activist and artist Kalki Subramaniam on December 30.

Announcing this venture at a recent event, transgender activists Vijaya Raja Mallika, Maya Menon, and CK Faisal said that the school will initially accommodate 10 transgenders who will study under the National Open School System. As many as six transgenders working with the Trans India Foundation have been roped in to guide and teach the students.

Among those selected to pursue schooling in this school are a migrant and a disabled transgender. Started with the support of Pro Life, a Christian charity organisation, and National Open School, the transgender school will help dropouts revive their education and complete Class 10 and Class 12 examinations and find jobs.

“We had a lot of difficulty in finding a place to run the school. At least 50 building owners turned down our request to rent their premises. Finally the school is all set to function from a leased out placed owned by a Christian organization,” activist Kalki said.