NIOS students take board exams today without books to study from

Pune: Many standard X and XII students from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) board are angry about their practical examination slated for Thursday and theory examinations on January 22.
They said they have not received their books nor have they attended a single class, and had no clue what they would write in the theory part to be submitted during the practical examination.The board sends books to the students once they register.
Many complaints tweeted by students spoke about the lack of study material, both online and offline, no information about the practicals except for the date, and a lack of response from the helplines numbers. Students that TOI spoke to said the staff manning the helplines are brusque and never give useful information.
A student from Rajasthan, who will appear for standard XII examination on Thursday, said, “Of the four subjects, I have not received books for two. I tried looking for the learning material online, but the course material is insufficient and does not cover all the topics. We have had no classes to clear our doubts. Practical exams are starting tomorrow and till now there is no instruction on how to make the file for submission. When we try to call the headquarters, the staff tells us to contact the regional office and the regional office tells us to call the Delhi office.”
Another student from Guwahati said,“ Of the six subjects, I have received books for only two. I have made the files for the practicals, but I have no clue whether they are correct and there is no one to solve my doubt. This board is lax,” the student added.
“All the study material is available on our website. Swayam and eVidya channel are used for eight hours daily. NIOS community radio is also used for teaching and learning. National level experts are teaching through our educational channels and a daily up-date available on our website. We are following the instructions of ministry of education to conduct exam,”
Anubha Sahai, India Wide Parents’ Association president, had written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights about these problems. The commission forwarded the communication to the NIOS’s director.
“There is no reduction in syllabus like the other boards. NIOS exams in September could have helped these students save a year. Despite the exams being postponed, the board has not done what it was supposed to for the students,” Sahai said.
Saumya Rajan, NIOS regional director for Pune said all measures will be taken to keep students appearing for the exams safe from Covid-19.