The Japan Times - Goa plans relationship-readiness course amid concern over divorces

Goa College of Home Science is set to launch an open certificate course on marriage preparedness from December, encouraging young adults to understand themselves and their partners before taking the plunge. The initiative seeks to help participants assess their emotional maturity, learn the importance of compromise and forgiveness, and understand the challenges of sustaining a long-term relationship. Also Read: Danny Denzongpa's ₹40 crore business move: How the Agneepath actor expanded his Sikkim brewery empire to Assam to beat multi-millionaire Vijay Mallya's United Breweries in Northeast India

The programme comes amid concerns over rising marital disputes and divorces in Goa. It also follows Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's announcement of plans to introduce pre-marriage counselling across the state. Goa college launches marriage preparedness course amid rising divorces

The course has been developed by the college's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, which has been teaching the subject to its students since 2007. With the new initiative, the institution plans to take its classroom learning to the wider public, particularly college students and young adults. The programme will encourage participants to reflect on their expectations from marriage and assess whether they are emotionally prepared for the responsibilities of a long-term relationship. Live Events

Nadisha Coelho, assistant professor at the college, said the initiative was prompted by growing concerns about marital breakdowns and relationship difficulties. “We are seeing a lot of marital breakdowns in society, and we also hear stories from our own students about the kind of families they come from,” Coelho said.

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The need for greater awareness about marriage and relationships is also reflected in official figures. as reported by data from the law department, more than 3,000 marriage and divorce-related petitions were filed in Goa's civil courts between 2022 and 2025. The state recorded 947 such petitions in 2024 alone. The initiative also comes after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced plans to introduce pre-marriage counselling in Goa. Earlier this week, he linked the rise in divorces to couples in “love marriages” not understanding each other sufficiently before getting married.

Course to focus on emotional maturity, self-awareness and relationship skills Unlike programmes centred on wedding preparations, the certificate course will focus on whether individuals are genuinely ready for marriage and have the emotional maturity required to maintain a lasting relationship.

Coelho emphasised that being of a suitable age does not necessarily mean someone is prepared for marriage. “Maturity is beyond age. Your age might be right, but you may not be mature enough,” she said.

The programme will also encourage participants to understand their individual identities before entering into a committed relationship. “Marriage preparation often happens too close to the wedding, when couples are caught up in the excitement and may overlook important conversations. It is imperative to establish one’s identity before entering into intimacy,” Coelho said.

Personality assessments and practical exercises to be part of the course The certificate programme will combine theoretical lessons with practical activities designed to help participants understand themselves better.

These exercises will include personality assessments and self-reflection sessions. Participants will be encouraged to evaluate their interpersonal skills, ability to forgive, personal strengths and weaknesses, and willingness to compromise.

Y.Kato--JT