The Maharashtra government is considering introducing a separate "Single Parent Child" category in college admission forms to better support children of single mothers pursuing higher and technical education.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil announced that a high-level committee will be formed to create a framework for the initiative and oversee its implementation.
Here are the key highlights:
1. Separate Category in Admission Forms
- Colleges may soon include a dedicated "Single Parent Child" column in admission forms.
- The move aims to identify students from single-mother households and understand their representation in higher education.
2. Better Access to Government Support
- The government plans to design targeted welfare measures for these students.
- Identifying eligible students will help ensure they can access relevant government schemes and educational benefits.
3. High-Level Committee to Be Formed
- The Higher and Technical Education Department will set up a dedicated committee.
- The panel will study and recommend measures related to admissions, student welfare, and institutional support.
4. Special Meeting of 1,500 College Principals on June 17
- An online meeting involving principals from approximately 1,500 colleges across Maharashtra will be held on June 17.
- The discussion will focus on understanding ground realities and developing a streamlined registration process for such students.
5. Focus on Hostel and Counselling Support
The committee will examine several support mechanisms, including:
- Priority in hostel admissions
- Counselling and guidance services
- Educational concessions and assistance
- Other welfare measures required by students from single-parent families
6. Need for a Proper Registration System
- According to Patil, there is currently no dedicated mechanism to record children of single mothers in higher education institutions.
- Colleges have been instructed to develop an accurate system for identifying and registering such students.
7. Part of a Larger Policy for Single Mothers
- The proposal follows the state government's Budget Session announcement to formulate a separate policy for single mothers.
- A committee headed by the Commissioner of the Women and Child Development Department has already been constituted for this purpose.
Stakeholders Involved
- Chandrakant Patil – Higher and Technical Education Minister
- Shailendra Deolankar – Director of Higher Education
- Heramb Kulkarni – State Convenor, Sau Ekal Mahila Samiti
Kulkarni recently met officials at the Directorate of Higher Education in Pune to discuss the implementation framework and future course of action.
What Happens Next?
The newly formed high-level committee will submit its recommendations to the state government after studying admission procedures, hostel facilities, counselling services, and other support measures. The initiative aims to bring children of single mothers into the mainstream of higher education while ensuring they receive appropriate institutional and government support.
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