Beyond Dummy Schools: A Smarter Path to Success
- Alisha Zaveri Fidelis
- Feb 20
- 1 min read
The rising trend of dummy schools—where students enroll but don’t attend regular classes—has become a shortcut to cracking competitive exams like JEE and NEET. While these schools offer flexibility, they strip students of holistic learning, social interaction, and critical thinking skills.
The Indian education system heavily emphasizes exam scores, forcing students into rote learning rather than real understanding. Many students in dummy schools miss out on classroom discussions, extracurricular activities, and essential life skills. This hyper-focus on exams leads to burnout, stress, and poor adaptability in real-world scenarios.
Boards like CBSE and state authorities are cracking down on dummy schools, but the root issue remains: students need flexibility without compromising quality education. This is where the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) emerges as a legitimate alternative.
Why NIOS?
Recognized Certification: NIOS is a government-approved board, ensuring valid credentials.
Custom Learning Pace: Students can balance academics and exam preparation without undue pressure.
Diverse Courses: Unlike dummy schools, NIOS provides subject choices, including skill-based learning.
Legal Compliance: It offers flexibility within an official framework, unlike dummy institutions.
Instead of treating students like exam machines, we must encourage curiosity and lifelong learning. Education should prepare students for more than just exams—it should equip them for life. If flexibility is the goal, NIOS is a much better alternative than dummy schools.
As educators and parents, we must ask: Are we shaping well-rounded individuals or just chasing numbers? The future of education depends on our choices today.
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