Hi all,
Usually people write the blog and share credentials. But I somehow feel I should mention my credentials first before you (parents) decide upon reading further. I am Radharishna Govindarajulu. I have served 18 years in CBSE at various positions.After VRS, I have been working with a renowned ICSE school in Delhi as Academics Director. I myself have been a student of Tamilnadu Board and I had no clue on NIOS model until recently. To be honest, when I first started my resaech on this curriculum in 2010, I was even surprised to see that around 75+ thousand kids take up Senior Secondary exams based on the NIOS every year!!
I am writing this article at the request of my young friend Mohit Ji from CONCEPTREE. I tried to be very honest and blunt in my opinion throughout this blog and happy to receive your feedback too.
Let us get to the real stuff. I have seen in Delhi, Kota, MP, UP, Bihar, AP and even Maharashtra ,premier IIT and Medical Coaching institutions prophesying about NIOS Advantages as a curriculum for Competitive Examinations over others. Initially I thought its nonsense as I am sort of fed up with some of the marketing tags like " Best Opportunity" etc.,!!
Two years back one student from my school along with her parent came and asked permission to be granted in the second half to go for Coaching classes outside ( by an hour or so). Usually such requests are considered and my principal gave the letter to me for final approval. After I granted her the due permission, this very simple idea has stuck to my mind deeply. Any student who wants to do more than the rest in terms of coverage of quantum of syllabus and practice level for an exam like JEE/ NEET would definitely get benefited from having flexibility in regular school curriculum during senior secondary level. What the girl's parent is seeking for is just the same. Not all the parents might be so informed about these things and come forward to take such proactive steps. Why not have this flexibility to all those kids whose parents may or may not have the knowledge, awareness levels about the key requisites of doing a result oriented coaching? As I kept doing my research there is a feeling that the solution to the challenge is out in the form of "NIOS".
In crisp, NIOS offers flexible learning model (self mode) unlike other Boards like CBSE where a student has to clock mandatory hours in school. NIOS has ODE (On Demand Exam) facility where students can take up exams prior to the regular Board Exams Time (March) which gives ample opportunity for kids to focus on JEE/NEET during the months of March, April and May. Students can even finish XII Exams early while they are in the same academic year of finishing X (up to 4 subjects).
In the next part of the blog post I tried to summarize my thoughts in the form of Q&A Model to make the reading a bit more focused for you in the best interest of time. You can check upon the relevant Questions leaving the rest (if need be). Hope you wont skip the conclusion part!!
What is NIOS?
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is an educational organisation which imparts education through Open and Distance Learning Mode and also conducts examinations for grant of certificates upto pre-degree level at par with other National Boards viz. the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE).
What is the difference between Open Schooling and Regular Schooling?
Regular Schooling is a traditional method of face to face learning in a formal set-up of class room situation with a rigid time-table; whereas Open Schooling is a flexible method of providing self learning and its evaluation to a learner according to his/her own schedule. The Open learning system is very helpful to learners who could not avail the facility of formal schooling on account of economic, social or geographical considerations or they want to continue their study while working in some gainful employment.
How different is NIOS from any other Institution for providing Education?
The NIOS follows learner centric approach of teaching through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Mode. It offers a wide range of subjects in comparison to any other formal schooling programme. The learners are free to choose subject combination as per their needs and goals. The learners study at their own pace with the help of specially designed Self Learning Materials (SLM). Learning is supplemented by audio-video and face to face contact classes which are held at the study centres on holidays and weekends. The learners have freedom to appear in examination in their subjects as per their preparation.
Whether Secondary/Senior Secondary School Certificates obtained from NIOS have the same recognition as of other Boards?
Yes. The Secondary/Senior Secondary certificates obtained from NIOS have the same recognition as certificates issued by other Boards. NIOS is vested with the authority to conduct Public Examinations at Secondary and Senior Secondary level vide Govt. of India’s resolution dated 14 September 1990. Further, all the Boards either National or State including NIOS are following the National Curriculum Framework (2005). Thus, the Secondary and the Senior Secondary Certificates of NIOS are equivalent and at par to the Secondary and the Senior Secondary Certificate of other Boards.
How can I get information about the working of NIOS?
Whether a candidate passing the Secondary Examination from NIOS can take admission in class XI of any other Board?
Yes. As all the Boards whether National or of States including NIOS are following the National Curriculum Framework -2005 brought out by NCERT, hence, the NIOS students who have passed the Secondary examination from it are eligible to seek admission in Class XI of any other Board.
Whether a candidate passing the Senior Secondary examination from NIOS is eligible for admission in Universities and Professional Colleges?
Yes. NIOS learners are eligible to seek admission in any university and professional college if otherwise fulfilling the eligibility criteria of that particular university/professional college.
What is the procedure for taking admission in NIOS?
NIOS has introduced 100% On-line admission at the Secondary and the Senior Secondary level in order to facilitate learners in registering themselves with it. Under this scheme, learners have three options: (i) They can register themselves on-line directly by visiting the website of NIOS i.e., www.nios.ac.in (ii) They may visit their nearest AI (Study Centre)/Facilitation Centre and take their help for On-line registration. (iii) They may visit their Regional Centres and take their help for on line registration. (iv) Candidates can also use the Services of Common Services Centres of Govt. of India for On-line registration throughout the Country.
What is minimum age to take admission in the Senior Secondary Course?
The minimum age to take admission in the Senior Secondary Course is 15 years, as on 31st July of the year of admission.
What are the subjects available for the Senior Secondary Course (Class XII)?
Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu, Sanskrit, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy, Home Science, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Painting, Environmental Science, Mass Communication, Data Entry Operations. In this regard, please check the latest Academic Prospectus.
Can I change my subjects during the validity period of my admission?
Yes, you can change one or more subjects, provided the total number of subjects does not exceed seven. However, such a change is permissible within four years of your registration, so that you can appear in Public Examination within the validity period of admission. No change/addition of subjects will be allowed in the first examination. Subjects already passed cannot be changed.
What is the instructional process in NIOS?
The instructional process comprises of using self-instructional print materials, listening and viewing audio and video programmes, attending Personal Contract Programmes(PCPs) at the Study Centre, interaction through Web-radio i.e. MuktaVidya Vani, and doing Tutor Marked Assignments(TMA) etc.
How do learners study in NIOS?
In NIOS, learners learn at their own pace and convenience. The learners of NIOS are self learners.
How do I get the self-instructional material?
The specially designed printed Self Learning Material for different subjects along with other support material will be provided to you through post at your home address. You are therefore expected to give your correct and complete home address.
How many contact sessions do learners get?
Maximum of 30 Personal Contact Programme (PCP) sessions as per NIOS norms are organized per subject for theory and 5 additional practical sessions for a subject having practical on face to face basis, generally on weekends and holidays, in the first year of admission, by AIs (Study Centres). Guidelines in this regard are also hosted on website.
What is Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)?
Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) are meant to help learners as they provide practice in writing answers to questions and get feedback. It is a kind of open book exams. Leaner has unlimited time to provide answer. Guidelines in this regard are also hosted on website.
How is TMA helpful to a learner?
The TMA will help learners to ensure their progress and revision in studies.How many Assignments are to be submitted in each subject?Ans: One assignment per subject is to be submitted as per the schedule given in the guidelines.
Can a learner whose result of final examination makes him/her eligible to qualify for entrance to a professional course, appear at its competitive examination?
Yes, a learner can appear at the entrance examination of a professional course in anticipation of the outcome of the examination he/she is due to get in NIOS. However, it is mandatory to fulfill the eligibility criteria of the competitive examination.
Is it compulsory to do TMA?
Assessment of TMA is an important part of ‘continuous and comprehensive evaluation’ and hence it is advised to treat it ‘compulsory’ as a learning exercise. However, a candidate may be allowed to appear in the external examination even if he/she could not submit the TMA in a subject. The learner shall be awarded ‘zero’ mark for ‘TMA’ part of internal assessment.
Where would he/she submit the TMA?
A leaner can submit TMAs at following places: All TMAs are to be submitted by learners at the allotted Study Centres. In case, a Study Centre is non functional, TMA can be submitted at the concerned Regional Centre and the same may be got evaluated by RC.
Can the comments and marks of TMA be shown to learner?
Yes, the evaluated answer script of TMA can be shown to learners. The tutor may also discuss with them to improve their performance. For this purpose, 5 days during PCP sessions have been assigned.
What is the examination pattern in NIOS?
The public examinations are held twice a year in the months of April-May and October-November on the dates fixed by the NIOS. However, if one is already a registered learner of NIOS at the Secondary or the Senior Secondary level, he/she can avail the facility of On Demand Examination. Internal assessment is an integral component of evaluation. Practical examinations in the relevant subjects are conducted at the Study Centre.
How does a learner know about the schedule of examination?
The schedule of examination is made available on the NIOS web site about a month before the commencement of examination. The schedule of examination is displayed on the notice Boards of AIs also.
Can a learner appear for Senior Secondary exam if Secondary certificate has been awarded in the previous year?
Yes, the candidate is allowed to sit in the exam maximum upto 04 subjects and a two year gap is essential after passing the Secondary examination to be eligible to get registered for the 05th subject required for certification. A learner can appear maximum in 04 subjects during first year.
Where are the Practical examinations held?
Practical examinations for public examination are held at the respective AIs, where the learner got enrolled. In some cases, if the students are less in number in an AI, then practical examination may be shifted to nearby AI of NIOS or any other institution as per the decision of NIOS.
Where is the examination centre for theory examination fixed?
The Centre for theory examination is allotted to learners in nearby area of their study centre/AI as per the availability of the school for conduct of theory examination after they register for theory examinations by submitting the examination form and fees.
How do the learners find examination results?
Results are made available on NIOS website and on mobile phone through SMS as well as at the AI. On successful completion of the course as per certification criteria, a learner is provided Mark sheet, Migration Certificate and Provisional Certificate directly at the address given in the application form.
Can performance in any subject be improved?
Yes, it can be improved only once in public examination and as many times as he/she wants through On Demand Exam during the validity of his/her registration.
How do learners receive their result documents – Mark-sheet/ Certificate etc.?
The Mark-sheet and other documents are dispatched at the mailing address of the individual learners by the concerned Regional Centre.
What is the credibility of Certificate issued by NIOS?
All the Boards of school of education whether National or State including NIOS are following National Curriculum Framework brought out by NCERT. Hence the acceptability of Certificates issued by NIOS is the same as that of the certificates issued by other Boards of School Education. The Secondary and the Senior Secondary certificates of NIOS are at par to the Secondary and the Senior Secondary certificates of other National and State Boards.
What is ODES?
On Demand Examination System (ODES) is an examination facility provided by NIOS to its learners other than public examinations. A learner can appear under the ODES as and when ready for the examination after first public examination. A learner can apply online for ODES and can choose a date of examination as per convenience. ODES examinations are conducted in all Regional Centres on monthly basis and as per number of seats available
How is On demand examination (ODE) different from the traditional public examinations?
In public examinations, the Board of School Education decides the date of examination and the subject to be examined on that date; but In ODE, the learner decides the date and the subject in which he/she wants to appear on that date.
What are the subjects available in ODE?Senior Secondary Course(19 subjects): Hindi(301), English(302), Sanskrit(309), Mathematics(311), Physics(312), Chemistry(313), Biology(314), History(315), Geography316), Political Sc.(317), Economics(318), Business Studies(319), Accountancy(320), Home Science(321), Psychology(328), Sociology(331), Painting(332), Environmental Sc.(333) and Data entry Operations (336).
Can ODE answer script be re-evaluated?
Yes. The re-evaluation of ODE answer scripts is only available at the Senior Secondary level. The learner has to apply for re-evaluation in any subject within 15 days from the date of declaration of result with the prescribed fee of Rs.700/- per subject through a bank draft drawn in favour of the Secretary, NIOS to the Regional Director of concerned Regional Centre on a plain paper or on a prescribed proforma. The re-evaluation is done in theory papers only.
Can I appear in two subjects through On Demand Examinations and three subjects through public examinations?
You can select subjects for On Demand and public examination as per your convenience.
CONCLUSION:
To me broadly it gives a sense of feeling that the flexibility across segments-learning, assessment, time frame is a real advantage that NIOS student would have over others. This would benefit him/her immensely in channelizing resources and energies efficiently. There are no concrete statistics in terms of students taking competitive exams from NIOS and strike rate of the same. But I am sure with initiative like Chennai SUPER 30 the phenomena is going to go get more and more prominence.
For feedback or suggestions,
Please post your comments here...
Signing off- RK
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for the useful information more info about nios visit our site
nios coaching in delhi
nios admission in delhi
nios admission 2019
nios on demand exam
nios admission 10 & 12
This is am amazing blog post which made me aware about NIOS informations and get the best study materials, guides, solved sample papers and assignments of NIOS BOOKS easily at affordable price.
ReplyDelete