Maharashtra Begins First Statewide Survey of Children of Single Mothers to Plan Education Support Measures

Pune, 28th November 2025: In a landmark move aimed at understanding a long-ignored segment of its student population, Maharashtra has begun its first-ever statewide survey to identify schoolchildren raised by single mothers. The data will form the backbone of new education-support measures, officials said, as 17 districts have already submitted their initial numbers.

The Education Department rolled out the exercise after repeated reports suggested that many children from single-mother households were quietly slipping out of the school system due to financial strain or lack of social support.

A circular issued by Director of Primary Education Sharad Gosavi instructs divisional and district education officials to compile details of students from Classes 1 to 12 who are being raised solely by their mothers. The aim is to build a reliable, district-wise database for the first time.

Gosavi said the initiative addresses a critical gap. “Children of single mothers face hurdles that are often invisible. Many mothers have no financial or family support. We need precise numbers to design meaningful, targeted schemes,” he said.

Survey to Shape New Education Benefits
Once the district-level data is consolidated and submitted to the state government, it will guide decisions on what kind of support students should receive.
The inputs will help officials determine:
-What new educational benefits or concessions are needed
-Whether students can be linked to existing welfare schemes
-How financial and academic support can be customised for this group

Officials say the findings could influence everything from scholarships to counselling programmes.

As per Census 2011, Maharashtra is home to nearly 54 lakh single mothers—a figure experts believe has increased significantly. However, until now, no department has maintained specific records on how many school-going children belong to such families.

Education activists have welcomed the move, saying the absence of official data has long hindered policy efforts.
Social acivist Heramb Kulkarni, who raised the issue with School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, noted that, “The struggles of single mothers—economic pressure, social stigma—directly affect a child’s education. This survey finally gives the state a starting point to address these challenges meaningfully.”

The state hopes the new database will enable interventions that prevent students from leaving school prematurely. Among the proposals likely to be considered after the survey are:

Fee waivers
Scholarships for vulnerable students
Uniforms, textbooks, and stationery assistance
Travel or hostel reimbursements
Psychological counselling and academic support

The initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring that no child in Maharashtra loses an education because of family circumstances.