Campus Times | Lucknow 

In a significant move aimed at expanding access to education, the Uttar Pradesh government has extended correspondence (distance) education facilities to students of Classes 9 and 10. Until now, this option was available only to Intermediate-level students.

According to an order issued by the Director of Secondary Education, Mahendra Dev, registrations for the upcoming academic session will begin shortly under the revised system.

Expansion of Correspondence Education System

The Correspondence Education Institute in Prayagraj, established in 1980 under a government directive, was originally set up to support candidates appearing as private students in the High School and Intermediate examinations conducted by the Board of Secondary Education. The institute ensures that private candidates register formally and follow a prescribed curriculum designed for board examinations.

Over the years, the number of such students has steadily increased, prompting the government to expand the scheme further. The inclusion of Classes 9 and 10 is expected to benefit a large number of students who are unable to attend regular school but wish to continue their education and appear in board examinations.

Education department officials have instructed all Divisional Joint Directors of Education and District School Inspectors to ensure proper implementation of the new directive. Detailed guidelines regarding the registration process will be issued separately in due course.

This step is being seen as a student-centric reform that strengthens inclusive education and provides flexible learning opportunities to school dropouts and non-traditional learners across the state.