Advancing inclusive education through multilingual open learning.




One of the world’s largest open schooling systems, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) received the 2021 UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize for its inclusive, technology-enabled programmes supporting persons with disabilities, especially through Indian sign language.

The institute serves diverse learners—first-generation students, dropouts, working youth, migrants, and marginalized linguistic groups—offering flexible academic and vocational programmes in multiple Indian languages and Indian sign language, with materials in regional languages to aid learning and retention. Since winning the award, it has produced 1,600+ Indian sign language videos and expanded teacher training across India’s 22 Scheduled Languages.

On International Mother Language Day, the National Institute of Open Schooling encourages young learners, educators, and policymakers to celebrate linguistic diversity as a source of strength. “Every language carries knowledge, culture, and identity, and education systems must embrace this richness to ensure inclusion, equity, and improved learning outcomes. We urge young people to take pride in their mother tongues, to see them as assets in their educational journey, and to actively participate in shaping multilingual, inclusive, and future-ready education systems that leave no learner behind”.

The National Institute of Open Schooling, India


Location: A-24/25, Distt, Institutional Area, Block A, Industrial Area, Sector 62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201309, India

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