Sexed-up internal assessment was quite the norm at Pivali PTC

During a visit to the Prantji camp, the state Women's Commission was told by some of the girl students from the Pilvai PTC that they were accosted for sexual favours and threatened with dire consequences if they did not acquiesce.

The students have been camping at the farmhouse after escaping from their campus on Sunday.

Of the 12 odd girls present at the meeting with Commission head Jayshree Patel, one from the first year and two from the second year alleged sexual harassment while the rest repeated their earlier accusations of poor management of hostel life at the campus.

The Commission is expected to submit its report to the government in a couple of days.

The PTC girl students of Pilvai and Padusma PTCs in Mehsana and Gandhinagar districts had alleged harassment after their escape from college last week.

Though not as blatant as the Patan gangrape case, the girls had hinted at sexual harassment in their representation before the government here on Monday. The report of the Women's Commission is likely to throw more light on the nature of harassment, said sources.

And government finally changes rules for the PTC
Under fire from all quarters, a panicky State Education Department issued a notification, that made hostel stay for PTC students voluntary; reduced internal marks to 100 per year; and limited internship to college time (during day only). The government decision also mandated setting up of sexual harassment vigilance committees in each PTC College, with two students each from the first and second years, and two women parents as its members. During internships, the visits would only be held during college time and only to those places that have good road and vehicle connectivity, the resolution says.

The internal marks system with a weightage of over 30 per cent was found to be the reason behind the emotional blackmail that the girl students were subjected to in the Patan episode. The weightage now has been reduced to less than 15 per cent. Of the total of 1,800 marks for which the students have to qualify during their two-year course, only 200 would be internal marks. These too would need to be evaluated by women professors in case of girls, according to the resolution.

These decisions were taken after the Patan gangrape incident came to light. A committee was set up to take a comprehensive look into the functioning of the Primary teachers training colleges across the state.