Delhi’s ambitious NIOS Project, launched with the noble aim of supporting students failing in 9th and 10th grades, is itself facing an unprecedented crisis. According to data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by PTI, nearly 70% of students enrolled in the scheme have failed their 10th-grade examinations over the past four years. What was envisioned as a vital safety net for academically vulnerable students has instead evolved into a system struggling to achieve even minimal success.
The project was conceptualized to combat rising dropout rates and provide a crucial second chance for students falling behind. Under the scheme, these students are enrolled with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and attend separate classes designed to bridge their academic gaps. Yet, despite the government’s significant investment and intentions, the pass rates remain disturbingly low.
The Numbers Reveal a Deep Crisis
In 2024, out of 7,794 students registered for the 10th grade under the NIOS Project, only 2,842 successfully cleared the exam, resulting in a pass rate of just 37%. This persistent failure trend is systemic, not isolated, as evidenced by the following figures:
- 2017: 8,563 enrolled, 3,748 passed
- 2018: 18,344 enrolled, 12,096 passed
- 2019: 18,624 enrolled, 17,737 passed
- 2020: 15,061 enrolled, 14,995 passed
- 2021: 11,322 enrolled, 2,760 passed
- 2022: 10,598 enrolled, 3,480 passed
- 2023: 29,436 enrolled, 7,658 passed
The data from the last four years demonstrates that only approximately 30% of students under this project manage to pass, underscoring profound structural weaknesses rather than sporadic underperformance.
Systemic Weaknesses and Student Segregation
Educators involved in the program frequently highlight a major flaw: the absence of consistent and effective classroom engagement. “Students enrolled under NIOS do not experience the same school environment as other children. Teachers rarely dedicate specific classes to academically weaker students, and parents are often kept in the dark about attendance or progress,” an anonymous teacher revealed to PTI.
Another critical issue identified is segregation driven by school principals. Many schools, under pressure to maintain higher mainstream pass rates, often divert struggling students to the NIOS program. This practice inadvertently isolates these students from their peers, effectively transforming the program into a parallel track for failure rather than a genuine remedial opportunity.
Financial Hurdles Exacerbate the Strain
The financial structure of the project further complicates matters. Examination fees stand at ₹500 per subject, with additional charges for practical-based subjects. Furthermore, registration fees for five subjects cost ₹500, alongside extra charges for each additional subject and for credit transfers. For economically disadvantaged families, these accumulating costs can significantly hinder a student’s ability to fully participate in and benefit from the program.
The Human Toll of Repeated Failure
The human consequences of these failures are stark. Students endure repeated academic setbacks, which severely erode their self-confidence and drastically increase their risk of dropping out entirely. Teachers express concern that the current model may be causing more harm than good, inadvertently creating a generation of students who become disengaged from formal education instead of being prepared for it.
Policy Implications: Time for Reform or Continued Failure?
The persistent low pass rates within the NIOS Project urgently call for fundamental structural reform. Without improved teacher accountability, active parental engagement, and meaningful classroom interaction, the initiative risks continuing its current trajectory as a failed safety net. As policymakers review this concerning data, a critical question emerges: Can a system designed to save students truly succeed without a complete overhaul of the very mechanisms intended to support them?
(Based on inputs from PTI)