Bhumika Rajdev
CBSE declared the results of class 12th on 13th July 2020. These results play a significant role in the admission procedure for students in colleges as they determine their eligibility to pursue undergraduate courses. As per CBSE class 12th analysis, almost 10 lakh students passed class 12th exams this year out of which only 19 were transgenders.
It has been observed that central and state governments are delighted with the results of students as there is a rise of 5.38% in the pass percentage of class 12th as compared to the last year. Amidst this celebration, the participation of transgenders in school education and the steep fall in their pass percentage is worrisome.
There is a fall of 16.66% in the pass percentage of transgender students of class 12thin comparison to the results of 2019. Looking at the present number of passed trans students, only 15 transgender students would be eligible for undergraduate or higher education this year as opposed to lakhs of other students who do not fall under the trans category. This raises a serious question on the representation and accessibility of education for transgenders in our system.
To understand the status of their education, it becomes more than necessary to look at the current status of transgenders in India. According to the Census 2011 data, there are approximately 4.9 lakh transgenders in India and their literacy rate is 57.06%. Most of them belong to low economic backgrounds and have poor living conditions. Very few transgenders are able to pursue higher education. The reasons behind this can be seen in the challenges faced by them in schools’ premises.
Many transgender students drop-out from schools due to bullying and harassment. They are constantly labelled and stigmatised by their classmates and teachers. The school uniform, washrooms, and seating arrangements do not make them feel included part of the system and constantly excludes them from the ‘mainstream population.’ When they are unable to complete their schooling, then how can we expect enrolment and participation of transgenders in higher education?
Transgenders are one of the most neglected community in our education system. They have recently been acknowledged by the state and educational institutions as ‘Third Gender’, but their needs and requirements for dignified spaces in the system have been completely ignored. CBSE results analysis has also exhibited this biggest loophole of our education system with respect to gender equality.
Hence, it is high time for deliberation on the ideas of gender inclusivity and trans-friendly campuses. Sensitization programmes, workshops, and awareness campaigns on ‘sexual identity and Gender’ are the need of this hour. School and college campuses must be safe spaces for transgenders. It will not only help in their upliftment but will also make our system egalitarian and progressive in nature. This can only be done if the state and educational bodies take off their ‘veil of ignorance’ to accept the harsh reality of transgenders in our country and give due attention to their concerns.
“Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace”. – The Dalai Lama
Bhumika Rajdev is a B.EL.ED graduate from LSR and has completed her Masters in Political Science. She has worked in various public and private schools. Currently, she is working as TGT Social Science in a school-based in Delhi. Bhumika loves to write and speak on contemporary issues in the area of education.