Goa College Introduces Marriage Readiness Course to Help Youngsters Build Healthy Relationships

Preparing for marriage involves more than planning a wedding ceremony. Emphasising the importance of understanding relationships and marital responsibilities, Goa College of Home Science has introduced a certificate course titled ‘Marriage Readiness: Preparing for Healthy and Lasting Relationships’. The Department of Human Development and Family Studies will conduct the programme from December 2 to 17. College principal Mahesh Pai announced the initiative, which is aimed at helping young people prepare for a healthy and lasting married life.

The course comes amid growing concerns over marriage-related disputes in Goa. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had recently indicated that the state government was considering pre-marital counselling to help reduce divorce cases. Government figures show that more than 3,000 divorce and marriage-related cases were recorded in civil courts across Goa between 2022 and 2025, with 947 cases reported in 2024 alone. The course will cover topics such as the purpose of dating, the differences between a wedding and marriage, and the influence of gender roles on marital relationships. Undergraduate and postgraduate students, unmarried youngsters, those preparing for marriage and anyone seeking to strengthen their relationship can enrol.