LGBTQ+ schools in India where you can embrace inclusivity.

 Hello and welcome back my dear Chai buddies!

In today's blog, we will introduce LGBTQ+ schools in India which truly focus on embracing inclusivity. 

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Schools play an important role in imparting not just education but creating a space for holistic growth for a person. It prepares a person for life by shaping one's perceptions and personalities. Bullies, or assaults in one's formative years at school plays a huge role in scarring one's memories for life. Therefore schools need to be safe and inclusive. If one seeks to build a truly inclusive and tolerant society, it's a great effort if one gets such inclusive experiences at schools itself.

Making great rapid strides towards progress, day in and day out, India is shining brightly in the global economic sphere. And Indian schools are upgrading themselves to prepare the youth for a global future. But, what has received far less attention than it should have, is the case of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools. Bullying in educational institutions is a real problem and Indian education system is no alien to it. 'Chakka' referring to Transgenders is is often used by school students derogatorily to taunt somebody. And many Indian schools were actually unable to ensure a safe environment for transgender students up until recent past. In fact, one couldn't even identify with being a transgender, fearing social ostracization, bullying, assaults etc. All these students would be seen worthy of was to clap at signals and beg for alms. Often they would be told - 'what would be the benefit of their educating them when nobody would hire them?' But, should it be so? 

Definitely not isn't it. India too has taken various measures at government level to both safeguard the LGBTQ+ community and encourage its members  to be important economic contributors for the country. Some of these measures include:

1. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP): recognizes and urgently address the growing inequality in education system due to gross underrepresentation of members belonging to certain SEDGs. 

2. University Grants Commission (UGC) notifies the transgender as third gender, allowing them to avail scholarship and fellowship programmes offered to students of higher educational institutions. The commission states that every university must take affirmative actions plans for acclimatization and safety of transgender students on campus.

3. According to Madras High Court directive, educational institutes must take measures for include transgenders students like ensuring availability of gender-neutral restrooms, providing for change of name and gender on records, including transgender as a gender on forms and appointing LGBTQ+ inclusive counsellors for grievance redressal.

4. By a landmark judgement by NALSA, every person has the right to self-identify as a transgender person irrespective of medical treatment. The judgement also states that every transgender person is entitled to proper education.

The real question that remains though - how much of it is actually followed and whole-heartedly embraced by educational institutions?

So, in today's blog, we look at some pro-LGBTQ+ schools in India, where you (or your child, if you are a parent reading this blog) can truly experience an inclusive culture.

1. Tagore international school, Delhi 

This Indian school premiered the case of inclusive environment in schools by initiating its Human Rights campaign ‘Breaking Barriers’ in 2013. This social outreach program of the school intended to sensitize senior school students about the LGBTQI + community, by highlighting and addressing the prejudice against the members of this community through years of stereotyping and social conditioning by society. In 2020, it was the only Indian school registered for pride month’s #21DaysAllyChallenge. Despite facing ire by certain segments of the society and allegations of brain-washing students, this school continues its efforts to become a truly inclusive school and sets an example for a lot of others to follow. Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Delhi is another government school in Delhi which has implemented several measures to be a transgender friendly school in the Indian capital.

2. Netaji Nagar Vidyamandir, Kolkata. 

The land of Bengal became the first in the entire country to appoint Manabi Banerjee - a transgender as a principle of a women's college in Krishnagar, in its Nadia district. This move indeed set a landmark for the entire country to follow. From the capital city of Bengal, we have Netaji Nagar Vidyamandir school in south Kolkata, which premiered the case of inclusivity in the city. The school launched a month long campaign whose goals were: desensitizing senior school students towards LGBTQ+ community,  educate students about the community and eradicate any misconceptions among the youth. The intention was to take a step against transphobia. To note: the region of Jadavpur and south Kolkata is mentioned by many to be mostly safe and inclusive for members of LGBTQ+ community. The most recent addition is South city international school, again from south kolkata, who has started a similar awareness club. 

3. Birla open minds school, Mumbai. 

In most Indian schools, the morning assembly is often quite spectacular. And during such events or other school events like sports day or annual day, we may have often heard - Ladies and Gentlemen and there seemed no issue with it at all. But, think about being more inclusive and have terms like: Good morning everyone! or Welcome friends! etc. Birla Open minds thought of this and decided to implement gender-neutral alternatives such as “Dear guests” or “Hello everyone" across all its 138 branches as one of its many steps towards gender inclusivity. Additionally, 'Soul science' was introduced as part of student's curricula aimed at educating them of gender bias, differences, bullying and peer pressure by the president of the school - Pushpita Chatterjee.

4. Aditya Birla world academy, Mumbai.

A school to introduce gender neutral uniforms for its students, Aditya Birla world academy also provides an option to its students to choose between trousers or ‘skorts’ (hybrid of a skirt and shorts). This way the students of the school feel way more confident and safe in expressing their gender identities. In addition, the Rainbow club of the school, comprising not just students alone but also teachers from LGBTQ+ community aims at educating students both from within the community and others about the gender differences, eradicating stereotypes and encouraging acceptance. 

That's all for now. Do you know of more such schools? Let me know in the comment section. Comment the name of the school and what measures are they taking towards LGBTQ+ community. 

I will see you in my next blog. Till then, stay happy. Stay healthy. Stay safe.