What is National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) ?

Many kids of today are multi-faceted and wish to pursue their dreams in sports or arts or either wish to be home-schooled. Whatever the reason, they need not miss out on their academic pursuits. It is in this regard I thought of writing about NIOS. Children can complete 10th and 12th through NIOS and they are equally qualified to take up College degrees.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) previously the National Open School (NOS) is a boon for home schooled kids, slow learners, school-drop outs, children who pursue other fields and would like to join the main stream. The NIOS was established by the Ministry of Human Resources. NOS provides the following education and examination:

Open Basic Education (OBE): for children below 14 years and adults above 14 years
Level A: Equal to class 3
Level B: Equal to class 5
Level C: Equal to class 8

Secondary : Equal to 10th
Senior Secondary: Equal to 12th
Vocational Courses: Certificate and Diploma
Life-Enrichment courses: Enhancement courses like Yoga, Music

Students can join NIOS on-line or through the regional centers. They can get access to on-line course material and can apply for the exams on-line. The exams are conducted twice a year. The exams can be taken On-Demand, i.e. they can take up exams when they are ready and can take up in any of the regional centers.

There are study centers in many regions for students for coaching or group studies. NIOS has email, Telephone, Web or SMS driven Learner Information System. You can get prospectus, syllabus, candidature, study material requisition,list of Universities taking in NOS students etc. from the web site of NOS.

To know the schools in Bangalore which follow NIOS or offer study centers:
NOS website
Empowering all-wordpress  (this site also has about dyslexia and learning centers for it)
NIOS website

Hope readers have more to say.