In a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday (October 30), the Education Minister said this while correcting the wording of his speech.

In the post, he wrote that he wanted to correct a word used in his speech at an event recently and clarify the context of the speech. At that event, a third-gender student obtained a degree. Welcoming this achievement, he spoke about encouraging the participation of third-gender people in education.

The Education Minister said that many third-gender people in society face neglect, deprivation and negative attitudes. The main purpose of his speech was to discuss their coming forward in education by overcoming these barriers.

He further wrote that while giving the speech, when trying to say ‘third gender’, he inadvertently used the word ‘transgender’. The word he intended there was ‘third gender’.

Noting that he respects the religious values and sentiments of the country’s people, the Education Minister said that the purpose of that day’s speech was to encourage educational opportunities for third-gender people and their educational achievements.