The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step towards supporting vulnerable families by identifying over 2.23 lakh school-going children of single mothers across the state. This landmark survey paves the way for a dedicated policy aimed at providing comprehensive educational and social support to these children and empowering their mothers.
Survey Reveals Scale of Need
Under the direction of the state government, the primary education department conducted an extensive survey to map the number of single mothers and their school-age children. Sharad Gosavi, director of the state primary education department, confirmed that the exercise recorded details of 2,23,042 children. He noted that while efforts were made to cover schools under all managements, the actual number could be higher if any were missed, but it would not be less than the figure recorded.
The survey was executed by instructing all education officers and relevant authorities to report the necessary details. Gosavi emphasized that the survey did not classify the women by occupation or social background, focusing solely on their status as single parents and the educational needs of their children.
Drafting a Holistic Support Policy
The survey is the first step toward formulating a targeted policy. The government's plan is twofold: to ensure the educational needs of the children are met both within school and beyond, and to empower the single mothers through skill-based training programs.
"Once the policy is finalised, it will be announced," stated Gosavi. He acknowledged the various challenges single mothers face in society and stated the government's intention to explore concrete ways to support them and their children's education.
Voices from the Ground Highlight Urgent Needs
The initiative has been welcomed by educators and affected families, who point out the glaring lack of dedicated schemes for single mothers. A zilla parishad teacher stressed the need for immediate financial support. "In rural areas, society is often harsh toward single mothers. Their biggest challenge is meeting educational expenses. If that burden is eased and mothers receive income-generating opportunities, it would greatly benefit these families," the teacher said.
This sentiment is echoed by women like Seema Tasare, a domestic help and single parent from Pune. She highlighted a common reality where many women are not legally separated or divorced. "My husband and I parted ways, but there's no legal separation. I work in multiple households to afford my son's education in an English-medium school. There should be provisions to help children of mothers like me," she appealed.
Experts confirm that while initiatives exist for other vulnerable groups, no specific state-level programme in Maharashtra addresses the unique societal and financial challenges faced by single mothers in securing their children's education. A government-backed scheme tailored for such households is seen as a potential game-changer.
The Maharashtra government's move to first quantify the issue and then draft a supportive policy marks a crucial intervention. It aims to transform the lives of lakhs of children and their mothers by integrating educational support with economic empowerment, addressing a long-standing gap in the social welfare framework.
