MoU aims to educate those deprived

SHILLONG, May 30: In what may be a noteworthy initiative, an MoU was signed between the State Education Mission Authority of Meghalaya, Samagra Shiksha, Education department, and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) wherein Out of School Children (OoSC) would be identified and enrolled into NIOS Study Centres.
The two parties signed the pact at the State Convention Centre here on Saturday.
The Director of School Education & Literacy (DSEL) and State Project Director, State Education Mission Authority of Meghalaya (SEMAM), Samagra Shiksha, Swapnil Tembe and Chairperson NIOS, Prof Saroj Sharma, were present during the MoU signing ceremony.
It may be mentioned that at present, Meghalaya has only 25 NIOS study centres covering five districts namely— East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi, East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills.
The State Project office had also requested the NIOS to increase the number of NIOS study centres in the state in order to cover the remaining districts as well.
The office had already taken up the initiative for wide publicity through newspapers and FM Radio.
It had also organised Road Show awareness campaign with the Station Head, 93.5 Red FM on OoSC, to facilitate and support OoSC in the age group of 16-19 years up to Class XII to enroll through NIOS in East Jaintia Hills as well as Ri-Bhoi district.
According to a statement issued here, similar programmes will be taken up in the remaining districts to spread awareness on NIOS platform, as most OoSC are not aware of this facility.