NIOS, Odisha Govt Join Hands to Bring Out-of-School Children Back to Classrooms

In a major step towards inclusive education, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) to reintegrate out-of-school and dropout children across the state into the education system.

According to officials, the collaboration aims to provide a second chance for education to thousands of deprived learners by enabling them to complete their secondary and senior secondary education through NIOS’s flexible learning framework.

“The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of deprived learners across Odisha, helping them rejoin the mainstream of education and empowering them to build a brighter future,” said Akhilesh Mishra, Chairman, NIOS.

Under the MoU, selected schools across districts with high dropout rates will be accredited as study centres to facilitate admissions, examinations, and learner support under the NIOS system. The partnership will also focus on identifying out-of-school children, enrolling them in appropriate levels, and providing continuous academic support.

Officials said the joint effort aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes universal access to education and multiple pathways for lifelong learning.

By integrating open schooling with state-level educational initiatives, the NIOS–OSEPA partnership seeks to bridge learning gaps and ensure that every child in Odisha gets the opportunity to pursue quality education.