Following in the footsteps of Kochi Metro Rail , the All-Kerala Self-Financing Schools Federation, an organisation representing unrecognised schools and those who have applied for recognition with the Education Department, has offered employment as teachers to qualified transgender individuals.
Representatives of the federation said on Monday that it would help bring the marginalised community into the mainstream.
“Those who have passed B.Ed., TTC, or pre-primary TTC can apply,” Ramadas Kadirur, president of the federation, told The Hindu. “Transgender individuals would get priority whenever there is a vacancy in a local school. Vacancies would be created if the individuals are qualified,” he said.
The association has around 1,400 members and most of them own primary schools or upper primary schools in various parts of the State. Mr. Kadirur claimed he had spoken to non-governmental organisations in Ernakulam working for the welfare of the community and they had welcomed the suggestion.
The Kochi Metro was the first organisation to offer reservation in jobs for the community.
Mr. Ramadas said the association would provide paid leave for female teachers during their menstrual periods. “As two lakh of the total workforce in unaided schools are teachers, it will be of great help to them. It will be implemented from this month,” he said.
“We are also planning to start a foundation course for admissions to the Indian Institute of Technology from Class 5. Classes will begin on October 1 in 100 select schools. One period per day will be used for the purpose,” Mr. Ramadas said.
