The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education is set to strengthen the open schooling framework through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to bring out-of-school children back into the education system.
The initiative aims to achieve 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2030, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Nearly 2 Crore Children Out of School: Govt Data
Government data highlights the scale of the challenge:
- 2 crore children (14–18 years) are out of school (PLFS 2023–24)
- Around 11% of students (Classes 3–8) not attending school
- Over 50 lakh students fail board exams annually
These figures underline the urgent need for flexible and inclusive education systems.
NIOS: Flexible Pathway for Education
The NIOS, the world’s largest open schooling board, offers:
- Distance learning with flexible admission
- Multiple exam attempts
- On-demand examination system
- Certifications equivalent to other national and state boards
This makes it a viable option for children facing economic, social, or geographical barriers.
Nationwide Drive to Enrol Dropouts
The government, in coordination with states and Union Territories, will launch a nationwide enrolment drive:
- Identify out-of-school children using district-level survey data
- Facilitate re-enrolment into the education system
- Focus on dropouts and marginalised groups
‘NIOS Mitra’ Programme for Community Outreach
To strengthen outreach, the government will launch NIOS Mitra, a technology-driven initiative.
Key features:
- Trained facilitators to identify and counsel students
- Assistance with admissions and academic support
- Focus on tribal, migrant, minority, and economically weaker groups
Expansion of Study and Examination Centres
To improve access, the government plans to expand infrastructure:
- Over 10,800 centres currently operational
- Target: At least one centre in every block
Institutions to be designated as NIOS centres include:
- PM SHRI Schools
- Kendriya Vidyalayas
- Navodaya Vidyalayas
- Government senior secondary schools
States will also use existing school infrastructure for conducting exams.
Towards Inclusive and Flexible Education
The initiative aims to:
- Improve access and quality in education
- Promote inclusive learning opportunities
- Reduce dropout rates
- Standardise open schooling systems
Supporting Viksit Bharat Vision
The expansion of open schooling is a key step towards:
- Universal school participation
- Skill development and empowerment
- Building an inclusive education ecosystem
