Kozhikode: The gender segregation at educational institutions in Kerala is mostly the result of pressure put on management by parents, who operate behind the curtain.
When the issue first came into light at Farook College in Kozhikode, the administrations of various colleges in Malabar expressed no surprise as it's an unwritten rule in most of them.
"When people target managements, they have to understand that parents are behind it," a college administrator told Deccan Chronicle requesting anonymity.
"They voice their concerns about freedom the children enjoy and want us to prevent them mingling with each other. If we fail to do, the college will get a bad reputation, which will reflect in admissions."
The situation is worse in Muslim institutions.
"Most of our students are Muslims and their parents are more worried about boys and girls sitting and spending time together," an employee at MES Engineering College, Kuttipuram, told DC.
"When the parents come to know about a love affair, the first thing they do is to accuse authorities of the lack of care."
Most of the students are also aware of the unwritten rule.
"They do not implement it strictly, but we know that we cannot cross the lines," a student there said.
"Our parents are in regular touch with authorities and keep track on our activities. So girls do not come forward and mingle with boys on campus."
Parents say they are wary of their children getting distracted by 'adolescent fun' if they get freedom.
"I also raise this issue with the college management as I'm worried about my girl's future," Haseena P. K., parent of a degree first-year student said.
"I do not want my girl to sit along with boys on a bench and study or chat during free time. The age of children are very sensitive, and there is a chance that they may get easily distracted from studies and engage in the fun on campus."
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