Odisha Waives Admission and Exam Fees for Open Schooling Programs

If your child dropped out of school or never enrolled, here's some good news from Odisha. The state government has decided to waive all admission and exam fees for students who want to join the State Institute of Open Schooling (SIOS). This is a big step toward getting every child back into the education system.

The School and Mass Education Department in Odisha has announced that dropouts and out-of-school children between 14 and 18 years old can now enroll in SIOS study centers without paying any fees. No admission fees, no exam fees. Nothing.

SIOS is a government-run program that helps kids who left regular school to continue their education and eventually pass their matriculation (Class 10) exam through the Board of Secondary Education.

Odisha has been facing a serious dropout problem. According to recent data, the state's dropout rates have been higher than the national average. While the situation is improving, many children are still out of school.

To tackle this, the government launched a campaign called "Aasa School Jiba" (Let us go to school) in 2025. The goal is to find every child who's not in school and bring them back into the education system.

The School and Mass Education Department worked with IIT Madras to develop a tracking app. Using this app, around 1.5 lakh teachers conducted surveys across the state.

So far, they've identified around 2 lakh children who either dropped out before completing a level or never enrolled in school at all. That's a huge number, and it shows how big the problem really is.

Out of these 2 lakh children, the campaign has already helped bring back around 70,000 kids to regular schools and SIOS centers. That's progress, but there's still a long way to go.

The good news is that SIOS isn't something new. The department has been running 344 study centers across all districts for nearly a decade now.

This means if you're looking for a SIOS center near you, there's likely one in your block or district. You don't have to travel far.

SIOS uses a specially designed curriculum that's age-appropriate. It's not exactly the same as regular school because these students are often older than typical students in the same grade. The curriculum takes that into account.

Students who complete the program can appear for the matriculation exam conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, the same board that conducts regular board exams. So the certificate they get is just as valid.

The department isn't just focusing on kids who've already dropped out. They're also trying to prevent new dropouts.

They've asked all education officers to make sure that school management committee members visit the homes of children who are absent for seven days or more. The idea is to understand why they're missing school and help fix the problem before they drop out permanently.

This is important because sometimes kids miss school due to family problems, financial issues, or other challenges that can be solved if caught early.

This initiative isn't just about Odisha doing something nice. It aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which says every child should have access to education. The policy also emphasizes learning in the mother tongue, which these programs support.

According to UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) reports, while Odisha's dropout rates have been a concern, the retention rate has been improving. The state is working hard to make sure more kids stay in school and complete their education.

Recent national data show that dropout rates are declining across India. At the secondary level, the national dropout rate fell from 10.9% to 8.2%. Odisha is part of this positive trend, though there's still work to be done.

If your child is between 14 and 18 and not in school, whether they dropped out or never enrolled, you can get them admitted to a SIOS center near you. Since the fees are waived, there's no financial burden.

Contact your local block or district education office to find out where the nearest SIOS center is. You can also reach out to your area's school management committee or local government school.

Remember, this is completely free. No admission fees, no exam fees. The government is covering everything because they want every child to get an education.

Education isn't just about getting a certificate. It's about giving kids a better future, better opportunities, and the ability to make informed decisions in life.

When kids drop out, it's often because of circumstances beyond their control, like poverty, family issues, migration, or simply falling behind in regular school. SIOS gives them a second chance.

And now, with the fee waiver, there's one less barrier. Money won't be a reason to keep your child out of school anymore.

While 70,000 kids coming back to school is great, remember that 2 lakh children were identified in the survey. That means 1.3 lakh kids are still out there, waiting to be brought back into the system.

The government is working on it through the "Aasa School Jiba" campaign, but parents and communities need to help too. If you know a child in your neighborhood who's not going to school, encourage their family to enroll them in SIOS.

Education is a right, not a privilege. Every child deserves a chance to learn and grow. With this fee waiver, Odisha is making sure that money doesn't stand in the way of that right.