INCLUSIVE CAMPUSES - Now, institutions
become more nclusive for transgender students
Priya Menon
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Chennai:
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Transgender students are often forced to drop out of schools and colleges because of the discrimination and hostility they face on campuses. But now a few educational institutions are becoming more inclusive.Krishnan Bhaskar, vice chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University , Tirunelveli, recently announced that the university would offer transgender students free education. “We will provide free education in all 73 affiliated colleges and 10 constituent colleges, in addition to the 27 university departments on the main campus,“ he said.
Bhaskar took the step after attending a programme organised by Indian Transgenders Initiative in Tirunelveli. At the event, family members of people from the transgender community came up on stage and spoke about how proud they were of their loved ones who otherwise faced discrimination in society. Soon after the event, Bhaskar convened a meeting with the department heads at the university. With the staff welcoming e move and also coming for the move and also coming forward with donations, the university will offer scholarships of `3,000 per month for the transgender students, he said. The university has also made separate hostel arrangements and toilet facilities for transgender students, he added.
Inspired by the step, other institutions have also followed suit. “We also welcome transgender students at our educational institutions and they will be treated on a par as other students,“ said Bishop Devakadasham of CSI Kanyakumari diocese.
However, in many other institutions, members of the community still have to battle discrimination. “I scored 59% in Class XII this year and applied to a college in Virugambakkam. Though I was on the waiting list, students after me secured admission and I did not,“ says a 21-yearold transgender. “When I approached the administration to ask why I was not granted admission, an official asked me what I would do with an education and threw away my mark sheet. I felt insulted and humiliated. I am desperately trying to secure an admission in some other city college.“
Bhaskar took the step after attending a programme organised by Indian Transgenders Initiative in Tirunelveli. At the event, family members of people from the transgender community came up on stage and spoke about how proud they were of their loved ones who otherwise faced discrimination in society. Soon after the event, Bhaskar convened a meeting with the department heads at the university. With the staff welcoming e move and also coming for the move and also coming forward with donations, the university will offer scholarships of `3,000 per month for the transgender students, he said. The university has also made separate hostel arrangements and toilet facilities for transgender students, he added.
Inspired by the step, other institutions have also followed suit. “We also welcome transgender students at our educational institutions and they will be treated on a par as other students,“ said Bishop Devakadasham of CSI Kanyakumari diocese.
However, in many other institutions, members of the community still have to battle discrimination. “I scored 59% in Class XII this year and applied to a college in Virugambakkam. Though I was on the waiting list, students after me secured admission and I did not,“ says a 21-yearold transgender. “When I approached the administration to ask why I was not granted admission, an official asked me what I would do with an education and threw away my mark sheet. I felt insulted and humiliated. I am desperately trying to secure an admission in some other city college.“
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