: To provide disadvantaged groups access to education in the State, the Odisha government has issued a formal notification for the establishment of State Institute of Open Schooling (SIOS).
“Due to various financial, manpower, infrastructure constraints and various socio-economic reasons, it is not possible for the formal schooling system in the State to bring all out-of-school children within the fold of formal schools. Moreover, institutes like National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) are unable to cater to the regional requirement,” states the notificationThe notification says it has decided to establish SIOS in order to cater to the need of a large number of adolescent and rural youth, wage-earners, differently-abled persons and other disadvantaged persons who are unable to take advantage of formal secondary schooling within stipulated school hours, and also to enhance access to secondary education .
The SIOS, which is an independent body, will be regulated by BSE, Odisha till it functions in a full-fledged manner.
The SIOS will take steps to promote open schooling programme in Odisha in addition to providing training to tutors, academic facilitators, evaluators and lesson writers.
The proposed institute will offer a wide spectrum of courses of study in general, vocational and continuing education and life enrichment courses at secondary level.
“Wherever applicable, SIOS will tie up with other agencies including National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for opening schools and study centres,” the notification says.
