JOIN USAli Khwaja introduces the unique system of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), a boon to those who are academically less inclined.
Sushila (not her real name) failed both in the main and supplementary board exams only in Math, while scoring fairly high marks in other subjects. One year lost, and the fear of Math exam again next year started haunting her. Luckily her parents came to know about the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), enrolled her for the secondary (Class X) exam opting for subjects of her choice, and she breezed through with a first class.
Today, Sushila has completed her degree and is a successful journalist with a magazine that specialises in sustainable development, and is not only earning well, but finds satisfaction in what she is doing. With a more positive approach towards education and examinations, she has enrolled for a distance learning Masters course in Environment.
The story of Sushila’s life would have been completely different if she was forced to continue with Math, which she had begun to hate.
Even if she had finally cleared the exam, it would have been with tremendous loss of self-esteem and confidence.
NIOS, started 25 years ago by the Government of India, has made a niche for itself in providing wide opportunities of learning and certification to any child who wants to achieve in his/her own field, but cannot cope with (or does not want to attempt) certain subjects. In fact, after Sushila’s success, her younger cousin brother shifted from a regular SSLC school to one that offers NIOS courses, as he was very keen on pursuing his passion for cricket, and could reach school only by 11 am every day.
The Alternative Schools that coach children for NIOS are far more flexible in their methodology and understanding of the basic principle of, “If a child cannot learn the way we teach, let us teach him the way s/he can learn.”
Since the first takers of NIOS when it was established were generally students with special needs, there was a wrong belief that it is only meant for the handicapped or for failures. Over the last two decades, NIOS students have gone on to become software engineers, college lecturers, lawyers, management graduates, design specialists, sportsmen, popular musicians, and artists in various fields, having taken advantage of the flexibility of the system.
Students, who are suffocated with the rigid system of conventional schools and exams on account of their high level of intelligence and creativity, could use this path to achieve their dreams.
With the opening of a Regional Office in Bangalore, it has become easier for students of Karnataka to avail of the unique opportunity that this alternate system of education offers.
It is a boon to students who cannot sit for hours and get bored of classes, for sportspersons who wish to pursue their game simultaneously, to those who have a low IQ or any other developmental disability, and to those who are good in some subjects but not good in some others.
NIOS Regional Centre has ensured vocational courses for girls in rural areas, jail inmates, and agricultural practitioners. Five modules have been translated from English to Kannada.
Credits are transferred for those who have passed in a few subjects in other recognised Boards and want to switch over to NIOS. With facility for On Demand Examination (ODE) which ensures that students do not lose an entire year to reappear for exams, NIOS truly offers child centered education, living up to its mission “We offer what you want to learn, rather than you learn what we offer.”
Enrolment in Bangalore can be done with any of the accredited institutions/online or apply through NIOS Regional Centre Bangalore at NIOS, 3rd floor, PUE Bhawan, 18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore -560012, opp. Karnataka Examinations Authority (CET Cell) building.
Call up 80-23464223 or 1800-180-9393 or rcbengaluru@nios.ac.in. Website: www.nios.ac.in
NIOS authorities caution learners who wish to enrol not to approach any tout or broker and pay anything more than the fees prescribed by the NIOS.