MUMBAI: In a bid to encourage transgenders to enrol for higher education, the state government has directed all public universities to bear their entire tuition fees, not only in university departments but affiliated colleges. Universities have also been asked to take steps to make campuses more inclusive. While it is a step forward, activists say there is a long way to go.
In a review meeting with vice-chancellors and officials at Dr Homi Bhabha State University on Tuesday, minister of higher and technical education Chandrakant Patilappealed to universities to offer free education to transgenders.The vice-chancellors unanimously agreed to the decision.
“The idea is to encourage the trans community. It was also decided to create a positive environment so that they feel welcomed. Universities will take initiatives to sensitise campuses,” said a government official. A circular or a government resolution will soon be issued with guidelines.
One of the vice-chancellors said, “To make campuses inclusive for transgender students was in the perspective plan as well. Universities are expected to hold gender sensitisation programmes, to make campuses safer and comfortable for transgender students, build infrastructural facilities such as toilets, and extend financial support. All vice-chancellors have welcomed the move,” he said.
Sridevi, one of Mumbai University’s first transgender students (as per official records) to have graduated, said it is a welcome move, but added there is a long way to go. Sridevi is pursuing her masters from the university’s Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL). “Maharashtra is lagging behind Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, even Chhattisgarh, which have policies in place. Free education is a step in the positive direction as many from the trans community have to beg for a living and can never afford higher education. Universities can probably consider setting up study centres exclusively for trans people to make them feel safer and to push them towards education,” she said.
Adding that sensitisation programmes are needed not only for the general public but for the trans community, Sridevi said, “There is no life and dignity in the way most of us currently live. Consideration in education and employment can help in upliftment,” she said, adding that they struggle on an everyday basis for basic things, such as using a public toilet facility.
In a review meeting with vice-chancellors and officials at Dr Homi Bhabha State University on Tuesday, minister of higher and technical education Chandrakant Patilappealed to universities to offer free education to transgenders.The vice-chancellors unanimously agreed to the decision.
“The idea is to encourage the trans community. It was also decided to create a positive environment so that they feel welcomed. Universities will take initiatives to sensitise campuses,” said a government official. A circular or a government resolution will soon be issued with guidelines.
One of the vice-chancellors said, “To make campuses inclusive for transgender students was in the perspective plan as well. Universities are expected to hold gender sensitisation programmes, to make campuses safer and comfortable for transgender students, build infrastructural facilities such as toilets, and extend financial support. All vice-chancellors have welcomed the move,” he said.
Sridevi, one of Mumbai University’s first transgender students (as per official records) to have graduated, said it is a welcome move, but added there is a long way to go. Sridevi is pursuing her masters from the university’s Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL). “Maharashtra is lagging behind Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, even Chhattisgarh, which have policies in place. Free education is a step in the positive direction as many from the trans community have to beg for a living and can never afford higher education. Universities can probably consider setting up study centres exclusively for trans people to make them feel safer and to push them towards education,” she said.
Adding that sensitisation programmes are needed not only for the general public but for the trans community, Sridevi said, “There is no life and dignity in the way most of us currently live. Consideration in education and employment can help in upliftment,” she said, adding that they struggle on an everyday basis for basic things, such as using a public toilet facility.