Students 'unhappy' as Mount Carmel shifts to coeducation; raise concerns over safety, identity

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The students of Mount Carmel College are grappling with significant concerns as the institution undergoes a transition to coeducation.

Fueled by apprehensions and discontent, more than 1,200 students have taken a collective stand by signing a petition to express their dissatisfaction with this transformative decision.

MCC recently dropped a bombshell by announcing its transition to a fully coeducational model after 75 years.

This decision, set to take effect in the upcoming academic year, is seen as a precursor to the college's potential transformation into a deemed-to-be university the following year.

While this move carries strategic implications, it has triggered a wave of concerns and discontent among current students.

A student, preferring anonymity, disclosed the sentiments of over 1,200 students who vehemently oppose the decision. The discontent has manifested in various forms, including the collection of signatures from fellow students who share reservations about the shift.

The primary concern voiced by students revolves around the impact on individuals from vulnerable communities who chose Mount Carmel College for its reputation as a women's institution.

The sudden coed transformation is forcing some to reconsider their education, leading to fears of early marriages and an abrupt end to academic pursuits.

The student said, “Dress code alterations have emerged as another contentious issue. Mount Carmel College, known for its relatively lenient dress code, is now imposing stricter regulations, causing dissatisfaction among students who did not sign up for such changes.”

She added that the college has been considered a safe space without bias or unnecessary restrictions, and this alteration threatens that security.

Safety concerns are also in the spotlight, with students expressing worries about potential harassment once the college opens its doors to men.

She said, “The campus, previously regarded as a haven for self-expression, is expected to lose its safe status, impacting the students' ability to be themselves.”

Infrastructure inadequacy is an additional worry. The college, already grappling with insufficient facilities, students allege that they have not introduced any new provisions for accommodating both genders especially in ter ms of washrooms.

The students' attempt to address these concerns with the college's Principal Dr. George Lekha yielded disappointing results.

The principal's response to student concerns has been perceived as dismissive, with allegations of invalidating their apprehensions and prioritising the institution's financial wellbeing.

In a meeting on January 24, the principal and Director Albina refuted the students' claims, labelling them as conservative for resisting change.

Financial constraints were cited as a justification, emphasising the decision's necessity for the institution's financial stability.

The students' concerns about the decision-making process and lack of consultation were met with comparisons to government decisions like demonetisation, suggesting a top-down approach.

In the face of dropping out students, the administration allegedly asserted its inability to prevent individual choices, prioritising the institution's profit over student concerns.

Mount Carmel College's shift to coeducation has ignited a firestorm of discontent among the student body.

The concerns raised encompass issues of societal impact, safety, dress code alterations, and the lack of infrastructure adjustments.

As the college marches towards a new era, the administration faces a growing challenge to address and alleviate the mounting apprehensions among its students.