In a significant stride towards inclusivity, Odisha's formal education landscape is gradually transforming. The state has recorded a phenomenal increase in the number of transgender students enrolling in schools and higher education institutions over the past few years, signaling a positive shift in societal acceptance and institutional frameworks.
A Steady Climb in School Enrolments
Data from the Ministry of Education reveals a heartening trend. In government schools across Odisha, the enrolment of transgender children has seen consistent growth. From a solitary student in the 2021-22 academic year, the number rose to nine in 2022-23, then to eleven in 2023-24. The current academic year, 2024-25, has welcomed 16 new transgender students into government schools, with all previously enrolled students continuing their education.
The trend extends to private unaided schools as well. Over the same four-year period, an additional 37 transgender children have entered private institutions. Cumulatively, the total enrolment across both government and private schools has skyrocketed from just 1 to 74 students between 2021-22 and 2024-25.
Higher Education Mirrors the Positive Trend
The progress is not confined to school education. Figures from the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) show a similar upward trajectory for colleges and universities in the state. The enrolment count stood at a mere four in 2020-21 before jumping to 24 in 2021-22 and reaching 55 in 2022-23. While the number was around 20 in 2023-24, the current year has seen 21 transgender students take admission in undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Policy Push and Ground-Level Impact
This growth is underpinned by supportive policy measures. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 classifies transgender children as a socio-economically disadvantaged group, mandating equitable quality education for them. The Odisha government has complemented this by extending scholarship schemes.
Transgender activist and social worker Sadhana Mishra acknowledges the numbers are still modest given the state's vast student population. However, she finds the growth impressive. "The government’s efforts in the last few years to bring this population to the mainstream were effective in lowering the stigma to a certain extent, more so among parents of trans children," she stated.
To build on this momentum, the state has launched the SWEEKRUTI scheme. Parul Patawari, Director of the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities department, explained that the scheme's guidelines, released recently, aim to further improve enrolment. It will facilitate financial aid not just for formal education but also for professional and technical courses. The scheme also incentivizes registration for transgender ID cards, which are essential for accessing all government benefits.
Under the central government's SMILE initiative, Odisha has already issued 2,968 transgender certificates and ID cards, with 263 applications pending at the ministry level. These concerted efforts from both state and central authorities are creating a more enabling environment for transgender individuals to pursue education and claim their rightful place in society.
