The government will launch a nationwide drive to identify and enrol out-of-school and dropout children. The Ministry of Education stated that the move will contribute to achieving the National Education Policy’s target of 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio from pre-school to secondary level by 2030. It added that open schooling offers a practical alternative for children unable to attend regular schools due to economic, social, or geographical constraints. 

 

The Ministry further said that it is also focusing on strengthening access, quality and standardisation in school education, including improving the effectiveness of open schooling systems. With over ten thousand Study and Examination Centres across the country, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is providing a scalable platform capable of mainstreaming large numbers of learners who require flexibility due to social, economic or personal circumstances.  

 

NIOS, an autonomous body under the Education Ministry, is the largest open school board in the world. It provides inclusive and flexible access to quality school education and skill development through open and distance learning, promoting universalisation, equity and social justice. It also offers flexible admissions, multiple opportunities to clear examinations, an On-Demand Examination System, and certification that is recognised on par with other national and state boards.