Odisha Extends Free Open Schooling to Plus II Level
New policy aims to curb dropout rates and give students a second chance at higher education
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to make higher secondary education more accessible, the Odisha government has decided to provide open schooling for Plus II students completely free of cost starting this academic year. The initiative marks a major step toward reducing dropout rates and ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent students from completing their education.
Ananya Das, State Project Director of the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA), announced that the government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Under this arrangement, students opting for open schooling at the higher secondary level can now enrol without paying the usual fee of around ₹2,600. Instead, they will be eligible for full reimbursement, removing a key barrier that previously kept many from continuing their studies after Class X.
Until now, the State Institute of Open Schooling (SIOS) offered free education only up to the secondary level. Since Plus II-level courses had not been introduced at SIOS, students had no option but to enrol under NIOS—and pay the full registration cost on their own. Das said the new MoU directly addresses this gap, ensuring that “students choosing open schooling at the Plus II level through NIOS will no longer face financial hurdles.”
The government is also planning to expand SIOS to offer open schooling at the higher secondary level in the near future, which will give students more flexibility and localised support.
Officials from the School and Mass Education (SME) Department noted that Odisha has seen a slight rise in dropout rates at both the middle level (Class VI–VIII) and secondary level (Class IX–XII). Many students leave the system due to economic pressures, family responsibilities, or difficulty rejoining mainstream schools after long breaks. The free open-schooling provision is expected to bring a substantial number of these children back into the education fold by offering them a flexible, cost-free path to complete their studies.
Education experts believe that the measure will particularly benefit students who need alternative learning models—such as those preparing for competitive exams, those who work part-time, or those from vulnerable backgrounds who require a more adaptable schooling structure.
By making Plus II open schooling entirely free, Odisha has positioned itself as a state focused on educational inclusion and long-term human development. The government hopes that the step will not only help lakhs of students stay connected with formal education but also contribute to a more skilled and confident youth population in the years ahead.
