By Dr I Madhavi, Head, Department of English & Other Languages, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, GITAM Deemed to be University. Bengaluru Campus.
In recent years, India has made important legal strides in recognising the rights of transgender persons, yet much remains to be done on the ground, especially in education. The true test of social change lies not only in policy documents but in classrooms, where the minds of future citizens are shaped. Teaching children about gender diversity, especially transgender identity, is no longer optional; it is essential for building a just and inclusive society.
While topics such as environmental conservation and digital literacy have found their way into school textbooks and discussions, gender identity, particularly transgender existence, is still largely absent from mainstream school curricula. This silence becomes the root of misunderstanding, stigma, and discrimination faced by transgender individuals throughout their lives.
Children are not born with prejudice. What they learn at home, school, and through the media shapes their worldview. If schools do not create space for inclusive education that normalises diverse gender identities, students grow up with rigid and often biased notions of male and female roles. This deeply affects the way transgender persons are perceived and treated in society.
Transgender persons in India face widespread social stigma, ranging from family rejection and school dropout to bullying, unemployment, and housing discrimination. This stigma is not only a result of ignorance but of a systemic failure to address gender diversity as part of the educational foundation.
By introducing children to the idea that gender is not binary and that transgender people have always been part of Indian society, we can plant the seeds of empathy and respect. These conversations do not have to be heavy or complicated. They can begin by exploring stories, using inclusive language, engaging in theatre, and learning from real-life role models. When students learn that transgender persons are human beings with dreams, emotions, and talents, just like anyone else, it helps counter deeply rooted stereotypes.
Teachers play a critical role in this transformation. As mentors, educators, and influencers of young minds, they can either reinforce existing biases or become powerful allies in shaping inclusive attitudes. To support transgender inclusion, teachers must first be sensitised themselves. State-led training programs, orientation modules, and inclusion handbooks can equip teachers with the right tools to create gender-inclusive classrooms.
Simple gestures, such as using correct pronouns, acknowledging transgender achievers in lessons, or celebrating inclusive days, go a long way in sending a message of acceptance. Teachers can also ensure that transgender students feel safe and respected in school spaces, encouraging them to continue their education and pursue their aspirations without fear.
Tamil Nadu has been one of the few states to take pioneering steps in this direction. The government model schools in Tamil Nadu have taken a step further, conducting awareness programs, theatre performances, and community-led sessions that highlight the lives and experiences of transgender individuals. These schools have shown that children, when taught early, are fully capable of understanding and accepting diversity. This model offers a powerful blueprint that other states, including Karnataka, can adopt and build upon.
In Karnataka, while the government has made commendable efforts through its State Policy for Transgenders, 2017, and welfare boards, there is still a gap in school-level sensitisation. It is time for the Department of Education and the Karnataka State Curriculum Framework to take proactive steps in integrating transgender awareness into textbooks, teacher training, and student engagement activities. This is not just about inclusion it is about dignity, justice, and human rights. When children learn to respect all identities, they grow into adults who build a fairer, more empathetic society.
Importantly, the conversation around gender inclusivity must not end at the school level. There is a crucial need to carry this awareness forward into higher secondary education and further into colleges and universities. Adolescents are at a stage where identity formation is intense, and it is during this time that structured, sensitive education about gender diversity can leave a lasting impact. Higher education institutions must not only include transgender studies in their syllabi but also create safe and affirming spaces for transgender and gender-nonconforming students. Moreover, research scholars can be encouraged to undertake projects related to queer identities, inclusion, and rights as part of their academic work. When inclusive pedagogy is embedded at every level, from classroom discussions to PhD research, it contributes to a knowledge ecosystem that validates and empowers transgender lives in an organic and sustained way.
