REPORT ON Advocacy PROGRAMME (MEETING WITH NGOs) ORGANISED ON 23 RD JANUARY 2015 AT KV NO.1 UPPAL, HYDERABAD The meeting with NGOs was conducted on 23 rd January 2015 at Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1, Uppal, Hyderabad with following purpose : (i) Sharing the important features and flexibilities of Distance education through NIOS with NGOs who are expected to spread the same among the cliental groups by motivating them for admissions through their respective organizations. (ii) (iii) Plans to create awareness among rural and semi urban people about salient features and flexibilities of distance education through NIOS. Visiting of Educational Backward Blocks of Telangana State to enlighten the features of NIOS and motivate the possible group of learners for admissions. About 44 representatives of NGOs have attended the meeting. The meeting began with lighting of Lamp followed by invocation and NIOS song. Shri Anil Kumar Regional Director welcomed the guests - Shri Venkat Reddy National Convener, M.V.Foundation, Secunderabad, Shri Rama Rao Retd. Joint Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and former Officer of Nehru Yuva Sangathan, Smt.J.Rama Devi. Principal. KV No.1, Uppal and all learned NGO representatives from different districts of Telangana state. All the NGOs introduced themselves by briefing about their work in their respective organizations. Shri.Rama Rao former Joint Commissioner NVS, spoke on Role of NGOs in promoting and expansion of NIOS programmes. In his
lively interaction with NGOs he has thrown light upon importance of education in individual s life and mentioned the importance of acquiring qualifications by crafts men and semi skilled workers. He spoke on advantages of NIOS flexibilities and differentiated the knowledge from wisdom and expressed his views on importance of skill development. He interacted with NGOs in a very lucid manner by using local language and also motivated them for spreading the message to each and every corner of EBBs of Telangana state. Mrs Rama Devi in her inspirational speech cited many live incidents of formal and non formal education systems. She has also shared her experiences of NIOS as a member associated with. After tea break Shri. Anil Kumar, Regional Director, elaborated the salient features, new initiatives and achievements of NIOS programmes. He has given a very clear picture of NIOS by his power point presentation. NIOS features and advantages in opting this mode of distance education. Different courses offered by NIOS & eligibility criteria Target groups Admission cycle of different streams Fee Structure and concession given to SC, ST, Females, Ex- Serviceman Examinations and Internal Assessments which facilitate the learners to pass the course easily Evaluation system- Re-Evaluation and Re-checking of answer scripts. ISO certification of NIOS and different awards won / received
After an exhaustive session of Regional Director, Shri Venkat Reddy, National Convener, MV Foundation described their activities and how they are working for the upliftment of children in education. He assured to support through publicity and awareness campaigns of NIOS to reach all corners of EBBs of Telangana state. He said that about 1 crore people in Telangana have no proper education facilities, hence could not study. He also expressed that the features and flexibilities of NIOS are very suitable for dropouts from schools and colleges and also for those who cannot afford to attend the school. He briefed the role of NGOs in publicizing the programmes of NIOS and how to reach the different corners of Telangana state. He has quoted some live examples of learners of non-formal system of education. He expressed his concern for SC & ST learners and wished that the Government could help them by reimbursing the fee under SC & ST sub-plan and providing accommodation for orphans. His interactive session was really motivating and encouraged the NGOs to come forward for sharing their future plans of advocacy of NIOS programmes in their respective areas. NGOs interaction: Queries and Expressions in Open house: Sh N L Narasimha Reddy, Modern Architects for Rural INDIA, expressed that in every district nearly forty hot spots of cliental groups are found who are ready to educate themselves. He said that NIOS admissions may not be a difficult task if provided with proper awareness and flexibilities like low fee/ no fee structure. Mr. Mallikarjun, a physically challenged representative of NGO enthusiastically expressed his views on distance education and said that they are in the same field in the form of Aksharakiranam and he emphasized more on publicity campaigns through advertisements and awareness programmes. He also quoted that Polio disease was eradicated only because of awareness and publicity campaigns. In the similar way the awareness programmes
of NIOS may enhance the opportunities of different cliental groups in seeking admission to NIOS courses. He also conveyed that the concession should be given in the fee structure as State Open School fee structure is verymuch less than NIOS. Mr V Gandhibabu, ASDS, Khammam Dist, very interestingly shared his views on NIOS admissions of Tribal people. He said that being border of chhatisgarh many tribals migrated to Khammam from chhatisgarh and no. of drop outs was also remarkable. If NIOS facilitate the lower fee structure that encourages the admission of Koya and Konda communities. He also expressed that NIOS should establish Vocational (AVIs) in Khammam District to motivate the unskilled and semi skilled people for different vocations. He also said that the technology based programmes may not be able to reach the remote areas of many districts of Telangana. Sh R Paravathi, APSA, Hyderabad expressed her happiness to know about NIOS and at the same time she said that restrictions made in admission process may discourage remote rural people who were not aware of birth registration and transfer certificates which are mandatory in seeing admission into NIOS. Sh T Rambabu, from Pilupu, NGO from Nalgonda Dist, actively participated in interaction and said that publicity and campaigns are very much needed to reach the unreached. He stressed upon the proximity of study centres in remote areas and also enquired about the validity of NIOS certificates as he came to know pharmacy course is not in reach of NIOS certified learners. Y Venkatesh, Tandoor, conveyed that voluntary trainers are needed for vigorous campaigning of NIOS programmes in remote areas of state and also expressed that fee must be reduced which facilitate the cliental groups for admission.
B Mallesh, M V Foundarion, Mahabubunagar, stressed the need of coordination between NGOs and Mandal Educational Officers in publicizing of NIOS programmes S Nagaraja, ASRITHA Secunderabad, expressed that NGOs should get more funds for organizing awareness campaigns from the respective foundations and donors. Mrs Laxmi a school counselor expressed her concern for mentally challenged and requested for opening of special AIs for them. Shri Anil Kumar RD in his concluding session cleared all the queries raised by NGOs in the open house session. He requested the representatives of NGOs to take NIOS programmes to the unreached sections and motivate the candidates to take admission in NIOS courses and continue their education. He also requested them to encourage the High Schools and Junior Colleges to take accreditation with NIOS. The representatives of NGOs have assured to extend all support and cooperation in taking NIOS programs in remote areas and disadvantaged sections of the society. They showed keen interest. RC Hyderabad is really indebted to MV Foundation for their readily acceptance and involvement to organize this meeting. Sh Anil Kumar thanked Shri. Venkat Reddy National Convener MV Foundation and appreciated his gesture and keen interest shown for organizing this meeting. Mrs Y.Bharathi Assistant Director motivated the representatives of NGOs to conduct publicity campaigns and organize the awareness camps of NIOS programmes during her compering throughout the programme and proposed vote of thanks at the end.