These programmes acquired more significance as most of the examination centres set up for June 2004 examinations were new to the NIOS system.

In the beginning of each programme, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Regional Director, NIOS Regional Centre, Chandigarh made a comprehensive presentation about the examination system of NIOS. He explained in detail all the processes involved. He also informed the participants about the new development in the area of NIOS examination system. He explained the process of issuing hall tickets, special permissions and requested the participants to accommodate all the genuine candidates in the examination. He emphasized on the maintenance of high standard in conduct of examination and requested to minimize the malpractices involved in the process in order to achieve high quality Open Education. The presentations were followed with lively open house sessions in which the participants raised very important queries and suggestions related to the conduct of examination. All these were sorted out with discussions.

The NIOS has also put up an exhibition depicting its diversified programmes for achieving the goal of education for all. Multimedia material produced by the NIOS was a special attraction. While discussing NIOS programmes, the Regional Director re-iterated that NIOS could be an effective solution for the education problems of the States and UT as the NIOS offers programmes at all levels of school education including basic education with a strong component of vocational education. The open and flexible scheme has attracted a large number of learners from the Chandigarh region.

The Regional Centre, Chandigarh organized two Orientation Programmes for the Team Leaders to be involved in the forthcoming spot evaluation work. The programme for Secondary course was organized on 24th May 2004 whereas for Sr. Secondary it was held on 28th May, 2004. The venues were Sishu Niketan Sr. Secondary School, Sector 22-D, Chandigarh for Secondary and D.A.V. Sr. Secondary School, Sector 8-B, Chandigarh for Sr. Secondary Course respectively. In all 139 of Team Leaders attended for Secondary programme and 93 attended Sr. Secondary programme. The detailed process of Spot Evaluation work was discussed with the participants by the Regional Director clarifying all the steps involved so that the subjectivity and errors in the evaluation could be minimized. There were open sessions after the presentations in which the Team Leaders participated actively and doubts got clarified. These were first of its kind programme in the region specifically at this large scale. The number of candidates appearing in this examination from the Regional Centre is about 1,40,000. There will be approximately 684569 copies to be evaluated. The Regional Centre has made elaborate arrangement to evaluate their Answer books in time in order to get the results available in time. In all 232 evaluators will be participating in the spot evaluation work to be held in the month of June-July, 2004.