The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) celebrated its 36th Foundation Day on November 23 at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was honored by the presence of the Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, who served as the Chief Guest. During the occasion, NIOS also unveiled the portal for the Teacher Training Programme (Bridge Course) alongside various academic and vocational courses.
Sanjay Kumar (IAS), Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, attended the event as the Guest of Honour, while Prachi Pandey (IA&AS), Joint Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, was present as a distinguished guest.
In his address to the audience, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commended the remarkable efforts of NIOS and congratulated the organization for its connection to India’s unique educational heritage. He shared a personal story, noting that numerous institutions are collaborating with NIOS to reintegrate out-of-school children into the mainstream education system. He emphasized the importance of promoting education in the mother tongue and urged a departure from the colonial “Macaulay mindset.”
He also underscored the significance of experimenting with Artificial Intelligence in education, asserting that AI can effectively address learners’ inquiries and improve teacher education.
Sanjay Kumar, in his speech, praised NIOS for its extensive use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide maximum support to its learners. He further highlighted NIOS’s crucial initiatives aimed at offering accessible learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities through various modes.
Professor Akhilesh Mishra, Chairman of NIOS, emphasized the launch of the world’s first Senior Secondary curriculum in Indian Sign Language. He stressed the importance of self-reliance, discussed the necessity for self-awareness, and shared plans to soon introduce the “Shiksha Mitra Programme” for learners who have been deprived of educational opportunities.
