28 Delhi Schools Certified Trans-Friendly, Will Build Unisex Washrooms For Gender-Neutral Students

Indian schools are often slammed for promoting rote learning of theoretical concepts rather than their practical applications. Having said that, there are a few who are forging a new path and teaching their students how to be better citizens. For instance, The Akshar School in Guwahati accepts plastic waste as fees and imparts vocational training to students.

In another brilliant move, 28 schools in Delhi conducted a series of workshops to sensitise students about the transgender community and eliminate trans-bullying under the “Purple Board” project. This was undertaken with the help of the NGO Society for People’s Awareness Care and Empowerment (SPACE).

According to The Indian Express, the NGO conducted sessions with school principals, teachers and then students (Class IX to XII) beginning October last year. The 4-5 workshops help in each school had interactions with transgender volunteers and anonymous Q&A sessions.

A participant was quoted saying,

“When I saw transgender people, I wondered how they behaved differently. I later realised that they are just like us and that they are merely expressing what they feel. Their feelings are different from the bodies they were born into. They should be able to study in the same schools as the rest of us and feel secure.”

These schools were certified as transgender-inclusive and awarded for making kids aware of transphobia. They will soon build separate unisex/gender-neutral washrooms and set up anti-trans-bullying committees as well. Delhi government’s Directorate of Education and Netherlands Embassy are also supporting this project.

Preman Ravidas, an official at one of the schools was quoted by The Times of India saying,

“We have academic qualifications, but we were ignorant about the transgender community. We need to bring that community within the work culture and provide them with skills.”

We sincerely hope that other schools in the country also join in and teach kids about inclusivity apart from the usual academic courses.

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