Overview
The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) of the Ministry of Education announced a country‑wide drive to enrol out‑of‑school and dropout children. The initiative aligns with the NEP 2020 target of 100% GER from pre‑school to secondary school by 2030.
Key Developments
- Identification and enrolment of ~2 crore children (aged 14‑18) and the 11% of students in Grades 3‑8 who are currently out of school.
- Mobilisation of the NIOS as the primary delivery platform.
- Launch of the "NIOS Mitra" programme for last‑mile connectivity.
- Commitment to set up at least one NIOS Study and Examination Centre in every block, using existing PM SHRI schools, government senior secondary schools, and other recognised centres.
- Introduction of an On‑Demand Examination System and multiple exam attempts.
Important Facts
According to the PLFS 2023‑24, about 2 crore adolescents are not in school, and over 50 lakh students fail board examinations each year. NIOS currently operates more than 10,800 Study and Examination Centres across states and UTs, making it the world’s largest open‑