Transgender children will be able to avail free education under the Right to Education Act in Delhi after a notification issued by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung that includes transgender children within the meaning of child belonging to disadvantaged group under RTE.
The notification issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause D of Section 2 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (35 of 2009) (RTE Act), the Lt-Governor of Delhi is pleased to notify inclusion of a ‘transgender’ child within the meaning of ‘child belonging to disadvantaged group’ as defined in the said section of the RTE Act applicable to all schools situated within the National Capital Territory of Delhi.”
With this notification, transgender children will be eligible for 25% reservation under the economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged students for admission. Admissions under the quota would depend upon certificate issued by the Health Department.
Sukhdeep Singh