NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OPEN SCHOOLING (NIOS) AND INDIVIDUALS WITH LEARNING CHALLENGES: PART 1
Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator: A64010)

National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is a national level board of education, recognized by the Government of India. It was established in 1989. It has been a game changer for a lot of students who are unable to pursue education in a regular school set up, for various reasons. A large segment of students with additional needs and challenges also make use of the provisions of NIOS for their education.

NIOS runs several kinds of courses, such as,
1) OPEN BASIC EDUCATION (OBE)
2) SECONDARY EDUCATION
3) SR. SECONDARY EDUCATION
4) VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
5) DIPLOMA IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

OPEN BASIC EDUCATION (OBE):
OBE is the equivalent of Primary education in India and is offered at three levels:
a) Level A equivalent to Class 3
b) Level B equivalent to Class 5
c) Level C equivalent to Class 8
OBE is delivered via open and distance education.
OBE is available for Children (between ages 6 and 14) and for Adults (14 years and above). There is no upper age limit. The syllabus is tweaked for the two populations. For individuals with Learning challenges, age limits may be revised. Minimum age of admission for OBE is 7 years as of March 31st of the year of admission.

For Levels A & B (equivalent to class 3 & 5), the learner is required to study a minimum of four subjects:
a) 1 language from Group 1,
b) 2 academic subjects from Group 2, and
c) 1 pre-vocational from Group 3.

For Level C, a minimum of five subjects is required
a) 1 language from Group 1
b) 3 academic subjects from Group 2 and,
c) 1 pre-vocational from Group 3

The medium of study can be English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu or any regional language. The learner need not attend classes regularly, but a minimum of 50 hours per language, and academic subject and 80 hours of vocational (30 hours of theory and 50 hours of practical) are required to be attended in an accredited agency /centre under NIOS.


GROUP 1 (Languages): For Levels A, B & C
Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Punjabi, Odiya, Malayalam, Assamese, Kashmiri, Konkani, Dogri, Nepali, Bodo, Manipuri, Maithili, Santhali, Sindhi

GROUP 2 (ACADEMIC SUBJECTS)
For Level A & B:
Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Basic Computer Skills, Veda, Gyan: Bharatiya Jnana Parampara, Yoga

For Level C:
Mathematics, Social Science, Science, Basic Computer Skills, Veda, Gyan: Bharatiya Jnana Parampara, Yoga

GROUP 3 (PRE-VOCATIONAL SKILLS): For Levels A, B & C
Cutting, Tailoring & Dressmaking, Beauty Culture, Food Processing, Toy Making, Painting, Bee Keeping, Art & Craft, Furniture making, Bamboo Craft, Vermicomposting, Agriculture, Bakery, Health and our Food, Flower Farming, Child Care Assistance and Vocational Skills.

Admissions can be taken directly online on the NIOS website (www.nios.ac.in) or the student portal of NIOS (www.sdmis.nios.ac.in), or facilitated via an Accredited Agency/ Study Centre or via the Regional Centre of NIOS.

In my subsequent blogs, I will be sharing information about the Secondary (equivalent to Class 10) and Senior Secondary (equivalent to Class 12) levels and the Vocational courses, as well as the provisions available for individuals with learning challenges, under NIOS. 

REFERENCES:
https://www.nios.ac.in/media/documents/prospectus/OBE_Prospectus/OBE_Children_Prospectus_2024-25_Final.pdf
https://www.nios.ac.in/departmentsunits/evaluation/general-and-specific-relaxations-(disability-wise)-during-nios-examination.aspx
https://www.nios.ac.in/media/documents/prospectus/2023/Acad_Prospectus_2023-24.pdf

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Author Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal

Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs.

“Sea World”
Kabir Vernal
Acrylic Painting on Stretched Canvas
30 inches x 30 inches