MUMBAI: In a move to encourage transgenders to join colleges and complete their education, the state government has asked all public universities to bear their entire tuition fees and offer them free-of-cost higher education, not only in university departments but also affiliated colleges. Universities have also been asked to take steps to make their campuses more inclusive.While it is a step in the positive direction, activists say the state has a long way to go.
In a state-level review meeting held with the vice-chancellors and department officials, at Dr Homi Bhabha State University on Tuesday, minister of higher and technical education Chandrakant Patil appealed to all the universities to offer free education to transgenders. The vice-chancellors unanimously agreed to the decision. “The idea is to encourage the trans community to pursue their education. It was also decided to create a positive environment in the institutions so that they feel welcomed. Universities will take initiatives to sensitise their campuses,” said a government official. A circular or a government resolution will soon be issued with the guidelines.
One of the vice-chancellors said, “To make campuses inclusive for transgender students was one of the aspects in the perspective plan as well. Universities are expected to hold gender sensitisation programmes, to make campuses safer and more comfortable for transgender students, to build infrastructural facilities such as toilets and also to extend financial support for their education. All the vice-chancellors have welcomed the move,” he said, adding that they have to take initiatives to ensure that students do not face any discrimination on campuses.
Sridevi, one of Mumbai University’s first transgender students (as per official records) to have graduated, said that it is a welcome move, but there is also a long way to go. Sridevi is currently pursuing her masters from the university’s Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL). “Maharashtra is lagging behind the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, or even Chhattisgarh, who have a policy in place. Free education is a step in the positive direction as many from the trans community have to beg for a living and they can never afford higher education. In the beginning, the universities can probably consider setting up study centres exclusively for the 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 also for the trans community, Sridevi said, “Many have accepted their status and have given up. But there is no life and no dignity in the way most of us are currently living. Consideration in education and employment can only help in the upliftment of the community and the state will have to actively take measures,” adding that they struggle on an everyday basis for basic things, as small as using a public toilet facility.
The review meeting was held to take stock of universities’ preparedness for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). Patil also said that universities and specifically the NSS cadets should take initiatives and hold campaigns to get new voters’ registered. He said that institutions should create online content for people who have quit education and are working or running businesses and can learn without any stress on exams. Among other things discussed was NAAC accreditation, the offering of skill-oriented courses, grading system under NEP.
In a state-level review meeting held with the vice-chancellors and department officials, at Dr Homi Bhabha State University on Tuesday, minister of higher and technical education Chandrakant Patil appealed to all the universities to offer free education to transgenders. The vice-chancellors unanimously agreed to the decision. “The idea is to encourage the trans community to pursue their education. It was also decided to create a positive environment in the institutions so that they feel welcomed. Universities will take initiatives to sensitise their campuses,” said a government official. A circular or a government resolution will soon be issued with the guidelines.
One of the vice-chancellors said, “To make campuses inclusive for transgender students was one of the aspects in the perspective plan as well. Universities are expected to hold gender sensitisation programmes, to make campuses safer and more comfortable for transgender students, to build infrastructural facilities such as toilets and also to extend financial support for their education. All the vice-chancellors have welcomed the move,” he said, adding that they have to take initiatives to ensure that students do not face any discrimination on campuses.
Sridevi, one of Mumbai University’s first transgender students (as per official records) to have graduated, said that it is a welcome move, but there is also a long way to go. Sridevi is currently pursuing her masters from the university’s Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL). “Maharashtra is lagging behind the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, or even Chhattisgarh, who have a policy in place. Free education is a step in the positive direction as many from the trans community have to beg for a living and they can never afford higher education. In the beginning, the universities can probably consider setting up study centres exclusively for the 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 also for the trans community, Sridevi said, “Many have accepted their status and have given up. But there is no life and no dignity in the way most of us are currently living. Consideration in education and employment can only help in the upliftment of the community and the state will have to actively take measures,” adding that they struggle on an everyday basis for basic things, as small as using a public toilet facility.
The review meeting was held to take stock of universities’ preparedness for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). Patil also said that universities and specifically the NSS cadets should take initiatives and hold campaigns to get new voters’ registered. He said that institutions should create online content for people who have quit education and are working or running businesses and can learn without any stress on exams. Among other things discussed was NAAC accreditation, the offering of skill-oriented courses, grading system under NEP.
Denial of responsibility! Chronicles Live is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials, please contact us by email – chronicleslive.com. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.