New education policy: Transgenders to get safe, reliable schools

In a bid to ensure participation of transgender children in school education the National Education Policy (NEP) 2019 draft said that it plans to set up a reliable national database on transgender children. The NEP proposed to create safe and supportive school environments which do not violate transgender children's Constitutional rights. Schools, school complexes, and social workers will be asked to develop a plan in consultation with transgender students and their parents regarding the use of their names and access to restrooms and other spaces corresponding to their gender identity, read the proposal. "The curriculum and textbooks will be reoriented to address issues related to transgender children, their concerns, and approaches that would help meet their learning needs. Teachers will be sensitised about the issues related to transgender children and their concerns and learning needs," it further added.

The policy document proposed to involve civil society groups that have gained substantial knowledge of and experience in working with transgender children in the planning and implementation of education programmes for these children. "Active involvement of civil society groups in conjunction with social workers will be sought to facilitate and ensure the participation of transgender children in all levels of school education," proposed the NEP. Directorate of Education in the States, as well as NCPCR/SCPCR, will also be part of the programme.

The policy was formed by an 11-member team, which was headed by the former ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan. It was submitted to the new HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Friday, a few hours after he took charge. The committee was constituted in June 2017. The policy that is said to be inspired by India's heritage, presents 'A vision for the education system in India'.