India opens its first school for transgender people

India's southern state of Kerala is now home to the country's first school for transgender people.

Set up by an LGBTQ activist in the city of Kochi, Sahaj International will admit transgender adults who dropped out of mainstream schooling because of discrimination, the BBC reported.

The school has opened its doors to 10 students between 25 and 50 and they will be guided by teachers belonging to the same community — a move aimed at protecting and encouraging the pupils.

The head of the school has reportedly said, "The school aims at making [transgender people] eligible for taking decent jobs and living a dignified life."

In 2014, India's apex court had officially recognized transgender people as the "third gender," making them eligible for the same job and education quotas that are granted to other minorities.

Incidentally, Kerala is the only Indian state that has put in place policies to erase the discrimination faced by transgender people. It not only promotes "inclusive education" but also offers them free sex-reassignment surgeries at government hospitals.

India's transgender population was estimated to be 0.6 million in the 2011 census (the most recent). But, activists estimate the actual number to be much higher. Most of the community continues to face threats to their basic livelihood.

However, in a landmark move in July 2016, the Indian government approved The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill that seeks to punish "offences" and "atrocities" committed against the community.