INCLUSION IN EDUCATION

In India, queer and transgender students face significant structural and social barriers in accessing and completing higher education. Despite constitutional protections and legal recognition, stigma, family rejection, and institutional discrimination remain widespread.

THE PROBLEM: QUEER & TRANS STUDENTS FACE SYSTEMIC EDUCATIONAL EXCLUSION

KEY NATIONAL DATA:

• According to a 2018 National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) report on the status of transgender persons in India, 52% of transgender youth drop out of school or college before completing Class X.
• A significant number cite bullying, harassment, and lack of gender-neutral infrastructure as key reasons for leaving school.
• The 2011 Census counted just 46,000 transgender persons as literate out of 4.8 lakh, highlighting the extreme gap in educational access.
• A 2021 study by UNESCO and Sahodaran in Tamil Nadu noted that 1 in 3 queer students faced bullying in schools and colleges, often leading to poor mental health or dropouts.
• Family rejection, particularly after coming out, leads to loss of financial support for queer youth, making higher education unattainable.
• In Assam and the broader Northeast, these challenges are amplified by geographic isolation, limited access to queer-affirming institutions, and poor implementation of inclusive educational policies.

OUR RESPONSE: THE JIYON SCHOLARSHIP

To address these systemic inequities, Akam Foundation launched the Jiyon Scholarship, a one-time financial support initiative to help Trans and Queer students from or based in Assam pursue their academic dreams.

WHO IT SUPPORTS:

• Students facing financial hardship due to familial rejection or socio-economic marginalization
• Trans* and queer youth seeking support for college/university tuition, admission fees, study materials, or living expenses
• Young individuals committed to education as a path to empowerment, self-reliance, and leadership

IMPACT & VISION

Jiyon is more than financial aid—it is a step toward restoring dignity, access, and opportunity for queer youth in Assam. It envisions a future where no queer or trans person is denied education due to their identity.

THROUGH JIYON, WE AIM TO:

• Bridge the access gap in higher education for trans* and queer youth
• Empower the next generation of queer leaders and thinkers
• Break the cycle of exclusion, enabling students to dream big, pursue careers, and become visible changemakers in society

Education is a fundamental right, not a privilege tied to conformity. With Jiyon, Akam Foundation is committed to queer educational justice, building a future where identity is no barrier to learning.