Following in the footsteps of the central government, many individual states have opened institutes using the open schooling model. They offer excellent courses for school drop outs, slow learners and those who have had private education. States such as Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat and several others have adopted this system. They use an unorthodox and innovative method to educate children, and provide a range of vocational courses that are suitable for students who wish to work soon after completion of their education. Some of the courses that are offered by state wise open schools and the system followed in different states will be discussed in sections below.
Gujarat Open School System
The Gujarat Higher Secondary Education Board has constituted the Gujarat Open School Board to facilitate students who have dropped out of school to take up examinations such as SSC and HSC externally. The Gujarat Open School System enables the students to enroll themselves in weekend classes and complete their education. Apart from regular courses, open schools also offer technical and life centric courses for students.
Madhya Pradesh School System
The Madhya Pradesh government started the open schooling system in the year 1995 and this was initially designed to improve the standard of education in the state. The open schooling system provides a wide variety of courses in secondary and senior secondary level. The institute also provides vocational training and advanced vocational training for students who have cleared Xth and XIIth standards respectively.
Vocational Courses
One of the main functions performed by state wide open schools is providing good vocational education. The state wise open schools around the country offer a wide range of vocational courses at the secondary level as well as in the senior secondary level.
Secondary Level Vocational Courses
Word Processing, Typewriting, Welding Technology, Bakery and Confectionery, Biogas Energy Technician, Solar Energy Technician, Carpentry, and Jute Production Technology fall under the secondary level vocational courses.
Senior Secondary Level Vocational Courses
Typewriting Hindi and English, Stenography, Secretarial Practice, Stenography Urdu, Plant Protection, Word Processing, Oyster Mushroom Production Technology, Housekeeping, Furniture and Cabinet Making, Water Management for Crop Production, Play Center Management, Food Processing, Catering Management, Electro-Plating Techniques, Hotel Front Office Operations, Soil and Fertilizer Management, Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables, Poultry Farming and Typewriting Urdu are the senior secondary level vocational courses.
Studying At The Schools
Studying in one of the various open schools is very different from studying in traditional schools, and students have to use AVI/SAIEDs of the respective states and districts to apply for the school (and also to collect the study material). The appropriate AVI/SAIEDs will organize personalized contact programs for these students as well. The AVI will provide the students with a time table for the personal contact programs and students will be encouraged to ask doubts and clear their queries during this period. There are several AVI/ SAIED’s in each state and in each district, and locating the right one is the first step towards joining a state wise open school. All assessment and exams will be conducted at the respective AVI/SAIED.
Open schools are performing an important function in several states and they are the key drivers that help in increasing the literacy rate in the country.
