The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) faces scrutiny following persistently low pass rates, with a recent education ministry analysis showing a national average of just 33.3% last year. This pass rate ranks among the worst of all school examination boards in India.
More recently, nearly 70% of Delhi’s NIOS Class 10 students failed over the last four years, according to a Press Trust of India report. NIOS currently serves the largest number of students among open schooling boards nationwide.
Learning Challenges and Lax Monitoring
Many NIOS study centres lack full-time teachers, dedicated labs, and fixed schedules, states Meena Gunasekar, a study centre coordinator in Indore. She notes practical subjects like science and fine arts become difficult to teach, often leaving students to learn alone.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocates for alternative schooling models like NIOS. The policy recommends A, B, and C-level programs mirroring Classes 3, 5, and 8. Currently, NIOS only offers Classes 10 and 12.
Despite policy support, NIOS has a mixed record. Beyond low pass percentages, some higher educational institutions have hesitated to admit NIOS graduates. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has directed colleges to treat NIOS qualifications equally to mainstream boards.
Uneven Academic Support
NIOS operates through Accredited Institutions (AIs), typically existing schools or NGOs. Teachers at these centres often hold dual roles, with NIOS students not always receiving priority attention. While NIOS uses NCERT textbooks, the actual learning experience varies widely.
“What students actually receive is far from uniform,” Gunasekar stated. Many rely on printed booklets or online PDFs. Access to internet and proper guidance remains inconsistent. Practical subjects pose a significant challenge without hands-on instruction.
Feedback on tutor-marked assignments is often late or absent. Students report a lack of library access, peer groups, or classroom rhythm, making learning a solitary, self-driven process. This structure benefits disciplined students but overwhelms many others.
Persistent Low Pass Rates
Statistics confirm these challenges. In 2024, the secondary level (Class 10) pass percentage for NIOS was 32.32%. Pass rates for historically marginalized groups varied significantly, with 20.13% for Scheduled Castes and 55.72% for Scheduled Tribes.
NIOS reported 190,996 students for secondary exams and 302,561 for higher secondary exams last year, marking the highest enrollment among open boards.
A Vital Lifeline for Many
For thousands, NIOS provides a crucial educational alternative. A parent from Chhattisgarh reported NIOS helped his son with ADHD manage anxiety and study at his own pace. Rinzing L., a student, uses NIOS to balance caring for her younger brother with completing Class 12. “I work for a living,” she explained, adding that NIOS allows her flexible self-study.
Students Report Self-Teaching and Isolation
Many students, like Rinzing, rely heavily on self-study and online resources such as YouTube and ChatGPT for doubt clearing. Shreyasini Raja, an NIOS graduate, described her experience as inconsistent. “We often taught ourselves,” she said. Some teachers were involved, but long idle hours were common.
Likitha K., another graduate, found independence came with isolation. “There were days I missed the sense of belonging a regular school gives,” she noted. Brothers Kiran and Lohit Sharma from Delhi confirmed weekend classes were limited to attendance, with most learning being self-driven.
Lohit Sharma highlighted a social stigma. “When people ask why NIOS, it’s hard to explain personal or family issues,” he said. “Even during university admissions, we’re questioned.”
Calls for Evolution and Stronger Standards
Teachers and experts advocate for NIOS to evolve. Sakshi Jaiswal, a former teacher, states many NIOS learners lack preparation for competitive higher education. Rafiq Ahmed, an economics teacher for NIOS, suggests online check-ins or hybrid classes. He noted classes often run on weekends with varied age groups, making standardized teaching difficult.
Shalini Sami, a Tamil Nadu-based teacher, observed that pass percentages have stagnated despite increased enrollment. She noted limited resources and challenges in student comprehension. “Students may pass, but are they ready for what comes after?” she asked.
Policy analyst Srivendra G. found NIOS is sometimes viewed as an “easy pass.” He observed a lack of strict guidelines and teachers often come from mainstream schools, with limited open-school pedagogy training.
Dr. Ananya T., an education analyst, emphasizes NIOS’s purpose for non-conventional learners. She warns that unchecked flexibility can lead to uneven academic support. “Open schooling must not mean open-ended responsibility,” she stated. She noted that schools integrating NIOS within regular systems show improved student performance and confidence, proving the issue lies in inconsistent academic engagement, not the curriculum itself.