NIOS : The Way Forward - The National Institute of Open Schooling
NIOS : The Way Forward - The National Institute of Open Schooling
NIOS : The Way Forward - The National Institute of Open Schooling
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<strong>NIOS</strong>: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>Forward</strong> / 63<br />
Innovations and Research In order to succeed and make the desired impact<br />
on the larger system, a subsystem should not only be receptive to fresh ideas<br />
and innovations but should also actively encourage innovations by the<br />
practitioners <strong>of</strong> the system. <strong>NIOS</strong> should evolve a suitable mechanism for the<br />
identification <strong>of</strong> innovations across the globe and then for dissemination in the<br />
country. <strong>The</strong> research should also aim at development <strong>of</strong> new learning<br />
methodologies useful for ODL learners. <strong>NIOS</strong> should also conduct and promote<br />
research relating to different facets <strong>of</strong> distance education, such as development<br />
<strong>of</strong> course materials, training <strong>of</strong> ODL teachers and pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and monitoring<br />
and evaluation. <strong>The</strong> findings <strong>of</strong> research should lead to reformulation <strong>of</strong><br />
policies, modifications in conceptualization, development <strong>of</strong> material and<br />
training <strong>of</strong> ODL teachers and pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. <strong>NIOS</strong> should also undertake<br />
clearing house functions for the dissemination <strong>of</strong> innovations and researches<br />
in the country.<br />
In order to undertake the above mentioned tasks, <strong>NIOS</strong> may have to set up a<br />
unit dedicated to the cause <strong>of</strong> identification, promotion and dissemination <strong>of</strong><br />
innovations on the one hand and conceptualization, execution and utilization<br />
<strong>of</strong> research on the other.<br />
Being the <strong>National</strong> ODL institution in the school sector, <strong>NIOS</strong> must shoulder<br />
the responsibility <strong>of</strong> establishing pr<strong>of</strong>essional linkages with State <strong>Open</strong> Schools<br />
in the country and with similar institutions outside the country. <strong>The</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong><br />
networking has to be sharing <strong>of</strong> experiences, learning from the experiences<br />
<strong>of</strong> others and to avoid overlapping and duplication, wherever necessary. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
institutions should be linked to each other through Satellite to facilitate<br />
organization <strong>of</strong> video conferences frequently. <strong>NIOS</strong> will do well to set up a<br />
national reference library <strong>of</strong> ODL material, both print and non-print for the use<br />
and reference <strong>of</strong> not only <strong>of</strong> State <strong>Open</strong> Schools but also for the use <strong>of</strong><br />
curriculum developers and course writers.<br />
<strong>Open</strong> schools in the country should come together to form a voluntary<br />
association <strong>of</strong> school level ODL institutions <strong>of</strong> the nation as well as in other<br />
South Asian countries. Needless to say that the association or consortium<br />
shall provide a forum for exchange <strong>of</strong> expression and mutual learning.<br />
At present <strong>NIOS</strong> is functioning at the national level as an agency that<br />
examination that provides continuing education and certification. It also acts<br />
as a Research and Development institute in <strong>Open</strong> <strong>Schooling</strong>. During the past<br />
few decades, tremendous expansion has taken place in <strong>Open</strong> <strong>Schooling</strong><br />
facilities. To meet the ever increasing demand for <strong>Open</strong> <strong>Schooling</strong>, State open<br />
schools have been set up in fourteen states. <strong>The</strong> increasing enrolment in<br />
<strong>Open</strong> <strong>Schooling</strong> indicates that the system is poised for further expansion in<br />
future. <strong>The</strong> States, where open schools have not been set up so far should<br />
initiate necessary measures to set up their own open schools. In small states,<br />
where separate open schools are not viable, the existing School Education<br />
Board may set up a separate and independent department to deal with open<br />
schooling.