A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to identify ‘Out of School Children’ (OoSC) and enrol them into NIOS study centres was signed between the State Education Mission Authority of Meghalaya (SEMAM), Samagra Shiksha, Education Department, and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) on Saturday.
The Director of School Education & Literacy (DSEL) and State Project Director, SEMAM, Samagra Shiksha, Swapnil Tembe, and NIOS chairperson, Prof Saroj Sharma, were present on the occasion, a press release said today.
At present, Meghalaya has only 25 NIOS study centres covering five districts – East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi, East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills. The state project office had also requested NIOS to increase the number of NIOS study centres in the state in order to cover the remaining districts as well.
The state project office had used the media and road shows to raise awareness and encourage enrolment of OoSC falling in the 16-19 age group to enrol in NIOS in EJH and Ri-Bhoi and similar programmes will be taken up in the remaining districts to spread awareness on the NIOS platform, as most OoSC are not aware of this facility.
