Fake news is not limited to politics or elections. It can even affect an educational institution. On Thursday, Hyderabad’s premier educational institution St. Francis College for Women at Begumpet was hit by such a viral social media post. As the college officials planned to implement a stricter dress code, a viral post began to circulate. The message, purporting to be from the college, had tantalising sub-headings – dignity and respect, sending signals, religion, body exhibition and good marriage proposals. While the students and parents who knew the truth dismissed it, social media warriors took up the cause and began trolling the college.
“Students used to be given a handbook which had a dress code. We updated it and informed them and their parents about it, who signed an undertaking. I interacted with class representatives to ensure a smooth implementation. The dress code is suitable for a learning atmosphere,” said Mallika Shetty, Dean (Academics), St. Francis College, who dismissed the viral post as fake. “Teachers don’t use that kind of a language in an official communication. We had 95% compliance on Thursday, while some students, who were asked to change and come back, argued with us,” informed Ms. Shetty. While most parents dismissed it as fake news, others reached out to college officials to find out the veracity of the information. By evening, the fake news drama died down.
