INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR TRANSGENDERS
Education is a tool that can play a vital role in improving the socio-economic condition of the nation. It empowers citizens with analytical abilities, leads to better confidence levels and fortifies one with will power and goal setting competencies. Education is essential for the development of any democratic country. India is a democratic country. The spirit of the Indian Constitution is to provide equal opportunity to every citizen to grow and attain their potential, irrespective of caste, religion or gender. Everyone has a gender identity.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India on April 2014 created for transgender. As per census 2011, there are around 4.9 lakh in the country who face social discrimination and harassment. Transgender were respected earlier in the society but situation has changed and they now face discrimination and harassment.
Now, transgender will study in schools and colleges with all facility approving their admission under the category of “disadvantaged group” defined by the Right to Education Act2009 (RTE). Transgender are eligible for 25% reservation under the economically weaker section and disadvantaged student category for admission. They are socially and economically backward. Transgender will be allowed admission in educational institutions and given employment on the basis that they belonged to the third gender category. The Supreme Court said absence of law recognizing as transgender could not be continued as a ground to discriminate them in availing equal opportunities in education and employment. The Supreme Court said they will be given educational and employment reservation as OBCs. Transgenders are deprived of social and cultural participation, are shunned by family and society.
Inclusion of transgender in schools and colleges is a big challenge. It is so challenging to provide equal opportunity of education to transgender because there is a problem of inclusion with male and female gender students.
There is a need to prepare an environment where transgender feels secure. Teacher and community people can play an important role in inclusion. India is facing acute shortage of skilled manpower in different sectors. There is a need to provide vocational education and training to teachers and other school members. At the secondary and higher secondary levels vocational training should be provided to the transgender that they prepare for their job.
Government should provide fee-waiver, fee-reimbursements, scholarships, free textbooks, free hostel accommodation and other facilities at subsidized rates for students belonging to the transgender in order to make higher education and professional education accessible by the community. Special coaching should be provided to the candidates for competitive examinations.
Each being in this Universe is indeed unique, and an integral part of Nature. It would thus be wrong to judge and discriminate people who may be different from the stereotype, which again is man-made. It is time that India realized that every individual in this country has equal rights and privileges, and follow the policy of “live and let live.”
The first and the foremost right transgender are deserving of is the Right to Equality under Article 14. Article 15 speaks about the prohibition of discrimination on the ground of religion, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 21, ensures right to privacy and personal dignity to all the citizens and article 21 (A) ensures education is a fundamental right to every Indian. The constitution provides for the fundamental rights to the equality and tolerates no discrimination on the grounds of sex, caste, creed or religion. The constitution also guarantees political rights and other benefits to every citizen. Despite such laws in the constitution of India, the other sex (transgender) continues to be ostracized.
Transgender people faced discrimination and harassment at family, school and community forces them to move to the other places. The nature of the harassment includes verbal, physical and sexual abuse which has serious impact on the mental health as well. In a democratic country like India Transgender has no access to the social and political rights. They are not the part of any welfare scheme. Keeping in view the above findings it can be concluded that there is an immense need to intervene at individual, community and policy level to safeguard the rights of transgender.
BY: PRIYANKA SHARMA
(TRANSGENDER)