What is the open school system (NIOS) in India?

Open Schooling is a flexible educational alternative or tradional education system avaialble for your child. Here’s all you need to know about the open school system.

Many students are opting to go off the beaten track for various reasons when it comes to education. Open school boards in India and schools of open learning offer the flexibility and freedom to learn at one's own pace.

There are currently two viable options to clear the regular school equivalent of the standard 10th and the 12th class exams in India if a child wishes to be a part of the open school system. These schools of open learning are the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and EDEXCEL.

Open Basic Education for all ages:

While NIOS is increasingly finding many takers at secondary and senior secondary levels, not many know that it offers an Open Basic Education (OBE) program, up to the equivalent of Class 8 in a regular school. This is done through the distance education mode.

Eligibility for Open Basic Education (OBE) program:

Open schools in various states and cities :

Karnataka

• JSS Karnataka Open School
• Karnataka Open School
• Karnataka Open learning School

Hyderabad

• Vaishnavi College For Distance Education
• Bigvision Educations
• Mentor Institute Of Distance Education
• A Students Academy

New Delhi

• Global Studies
• Global Group Of Institute
• Adhayayan Online Services

Vocational Program :

NIOS offers a range of vocational programs which are job-oriented. These enable candidates to look for a job immediately after the completion of the Secondary or Senior Secondary program. The Board also offers various other types of vocational courses such as:

• Package Courses: These courses are typically of 1-year or 2-year duration. These could be done after passing secondary or senior secondary examinations.

• Stand-Alone Courses: These courses are offered along with the academic courses under the scheme of Secondary and Senior Secondary programs.·  

• Six Months’ Courses: These courses are of 6-months duration and these could be done after class 8 or after NIOS OBE Program. A few of these can be done after passing secondary examination.

List of Vocational Programs: Package Courses after 10th:

For the courses (Duration: 1-year) listed below, the minimum eligibility is a pass in the Secondary examination from a recognized board in India or a pass in the NIOS.

1. Jute Production Technology
2. Typewriting (Hindi)
3. Typewriting (English)
4. Typewriting (Urdu)
5. Word Processing (MS Word)
6. Carpentry
7. Solar Energy Technician
8. Biogas Energy Technician
9. Laundry Services
10. Bakery & Confectionery
11. Paripurna Mahila
12. Jan Swasthya

List of Vocational Programs: Package Courses after 12th:

For the courses (Duration: 1-year) listed below, the minimum eligibility is a pass in the Senior Secondary examination from a recognized board in India or a pass in the NIOS.

1. Plant Protection
2. Water Management for Crop Production
3. Oyster Mushroom Production Technology
4. Poultry Farming
5. Typewriting (Hindi)
6. Typewriting (English)
7.  Typewriting (Urdu)
8. Stenography (Hindi)
9. Stenography (English)
10. Secretarial Practice
11. Stenography (Urdu)
12. Certificate in Computer Hardware Assembly & Maintenance
13. Certificate in Computer Applications
14. Word Processing (MS Word)
15. Furniture and Cabinet Making
16. Electroplating
17. Jan Swasthya
18. Certificate in Care of Elderly
19. Housekeeping
20. Catering Management
21. Food Processing
22. Play Centre Management
23. Hotel Front Office Operations
24. Preservation of Fruits & Vegetables
25.  Library Clerk Course
26. Certificate in Care of Elderly
27. Certificate in Computer Hardware Assembly & Maintenance
28. Diploma in Radiography (2-year duration)
29. Diploma in Basic Rural Technology

List of Vocational Programs: Stand-Alone Courses

These courses can be undertaken with the NIOS Secondary Education program or NIOS Senior Secondary Education program. A list of these courses are given under the list of subjects for the Secondary Education program and Senior Secondary Education program.

List of Vocational Programs: 6-Months Courses

These courses can be undertaken after a pass in Class 8 or Class 10 from a recognized board of education in India or after the NIOS OBE program or Secondary Education program. Following are the list of courses one can opt for:

1. House Wiring and Electrical Appliance Repairing
2. Motor & Transformer Rewinding
3.  Radio & Tape Recorder Repairing
4. Cutting & Tailoring
5. TV Repairing
6. Cutting & Tailoring
7. Dress Making
8. Beauty Culture
9. Plumbing
10. Refrigeration
11. Air Conditioning
12. Certificate in Desk-Top Publishing
13. Certificate in Yoga (minimum qualification is a pass in Secondary Examination)
14. Certificate in Security Service (minimum qualification is a pass in Secondary Examination)
15. Computer Hardware Assembly & Maintenance (minimum qualification is a pass in Secondary Examination)
16. Certificate Course in PC Hardware and Software (minimum qualification is a pass in Secondary Examination)

There are many students who cannot attend regular schools during the day or even during the evening for various reasons. There are many students who have dropped out of schools for various reasons. There are also many working people who might not have finished their school education. For all these students, NIOS offers an excellent opportunity to complete school education and even do a vocational course to be fit for getting a job.

For detailed guidance on NIOS education systems and whether you should better take admission to any of the NIOS programs, you can visit to NIOS website.