In a bold move to combat child marriages, the Maharashtra state education department plans to include helpline numbers on the report cards of government school students. Drawing inspiration from the Thane Municipal Corporation’s education board, the commissioner of education aims to raise awareness among parents and students, especially in rural areas, by considering the inclusion of helpline numbers on Balbharati textbooks.
To facilitate the reporting process, citizens can call helplines 1098 and 112 to inform authorities about cases of child marriage. The Thane district administration is actively working on an action plan to address the issue, emphasizing the importance of reducing the age at which children are married.
According to the Shahapur education officer, instances of child marriages, particularly involving young girls aged 14 to 15, are prevalent in isolated areas. Families tend to keep such events private, making it crucial for citizens, parents, and students to report these cases promptly. Helplines play a crucial role in reducing and preventing such occurrences.
Report cards, distributed to students after term exams in April, will now serve as a means to combat child marriages by displaying helpline numbers. On May 1st, during the open day observed by all government schools, the commissioner of education will evaluate Thane’s initiative. If successful, the department aims to extend the practice across Maharashtra.
