By 2020, Indonesian Couples May Be Asked To Clear A Pre-Wedding Course Before Getting Hitched

There are a lot of people who freak out even at the thought of getting married, and for such folk, the Indonesian government has a plan. Indonesia will reportedly soon introduce a three-month pre-wedding course that all couples will have to clear before finally tying the knot.

This is a government-run certification course and will be compulsory for all couples. The three-month course will include classes on reproductive health, disease prevention and childcare tips. The course will also be free of cost.

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The programme was announced by the Human Development and Cultural Affairs (PMK) Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Effendi last week and the policy will come into effect in 2020. Classes of the course will be designed by the PMK, Ministry of Religion and Ministry of Health.

"Anyone who gets married should get some kind of ¡®upgrade¡¯ about how to be a spouse with a family. [This class] will ensure that all parties involved understand the required knowledge, then they will receive a certificate," Effendi said.

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I know the question on everybody¡¯s minds is, 'If the couple fails the course what then?' Simple, the couple that fails will not be allowed to get married. Effindi added that this course is different from the existing premarital counselling available at the Office of Religious Affairs as it is more comprehensive, Effendi added.

Ace Hasan Syadzily, a parliament member in charge of the commission on religious and social affairs, said that the programme would make marriage difficult for people.

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Do you agree with the parliament member? With this programme, do you also think that marriage would become difficult for people?