In India, secondary education and in particular, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at the secondary level have not been adequately researched. ODL possesses significant potential in improving gross enrolment for secondary education, provided that its operationalisation is well understood and its gaps are clearly identified. In light of this, CBPS undertook a study to contribute towards comprehensive research in this direction The two major questions that this research project sought to answer are:
1. Does the present system of ODL delivered through national and state institutions have the capacity and potential to fulfill the policy goal of exponentially enhanced enrollment - especially of those who are educationally disadvantaged and find it difficult to access regular schooling - and provide them quality secondary schooling education?
2. What are the prerequisites in terms of policy, budgetary and institutional changes that are needed in order to enhance the capacity and potential of the institutions mandated to provide quality, relevant and meaningful secondary schooling to a large number of students?
Multiple conference papers and presentations have been prepared by the CBPS team on the theme of ODL and the role it can play in secondary education. A video was also created to present the major findings of the study. Major findings from the preliminary analysis were presented at our Annual Seminar 2015 while findings from the primary data were shared during the Annual Seminar 2017.
