Czech universities may need to issue new diplomas after students' gender transition

Students in Czechia who have undergone a gender transition may be issued diplomas to reflect the change, based on a new draft governmental amendment.

The amendment would contribute to minimizing discrimination against trans people when presenting their qualifications.

"If such a [post-transition] person were further forced to produce their original diploma…it may make their situation significantly difficult on the labor market,” says the Ministry of Education.

The new law would require universities to reissue diplomas specifying a student's correct gender and name, a crucial part of their transition and next chapter in life, the sponsors of the amendment argue.

At present, there is no set protocol for how universities issue new educational certificates after students have a sex change, and universities often show reluctance to issue new diplomas, according to the ministry.

The new diploma would cost the student CZK 1,000.

The number of people seeking gender reassignment has been rising substantially in Czechia. Almost 200 people applied for a gender-transition procedure in 2021, compared with just 47 in 2013.

Over 1,000 people have applied for gender-reassignment surgery in Czechia between 2013 and 2021. Current Czech law states that anybody who wants to officially change their gender must undergo surgery for it to be governmentally recognized. Any sex change is illegal before the age of 18.

Should the law be passed, universities will be legally obliged to issue new diplomas for those who have changed their gender. The ruling would come into force in January 2024.

The draft amendment to the bill on universities also deals with the granting of social scholarships, which should be available to more people, and with upgrading conditions for university study seekers with specific needs.

In addition, it amends the costs of studies in a foreign language and the scholarships for postgraduate students, among others.