Appoint transgenders in guest teacher posts too: Kerala General Education Dept

Thiruvananthapuram: The General Education Department of Kerala government has directed the authorities concerned to ensure opportunities for transgenders in guest teacher posts. The department has asserted that transgenders should be given opportunities in guest teacher vacancies by considering the same rationale of PSC appointments.

The academic joint director of the department has directed the school authorities to avoid the tendency of rejecting transgenders while considering the merit of the appointment.

The move apparently comes in the wake of media reports that a transgender candidate Aneera Kabeer appealed to the Legal Services Authority for the help of a lawyer to apply for euthanasia in the High Court. In her plea, she complained that she is unable to work and live as a trans woman in this country. She was rejected by around 14 schools despite having qualifications only because of gender. Notably, she has two master’s degrees, MEd and SET qualification.

Aneera said that even in a government school interview, she was questioned about her gender. Later, in a government school in Palakkad, she dressed up as a male and attended the interview and got selected. But after realising that she was a trans woman, even the headmistress turned against Aneera. The HM said that if she joins the school, the students will look at her with sexual interests. But she received the support of the students. Though she joined the school in mid-November, she was forced to leave it on January 6.

Knowing about the person’s ordeal Minister for General Education V Sivankutty intervened and assured her that he will take necessary action to give her an appointment. The General Education Department has issued a fresh direction in this background.