A local centre accredited by NIOS to support students taking Class 10 or 12 by distance learning.
In Barnala, 51.5% of young men aged 15 to 21 are out of education, behind the typical district. 26.8% of young women the same age are out of education, better than the typical district. The NIOS Study Centre offers this group a second chance to finish schooling outside the regular system.
70% of registered enterprises are in services while 30% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 85% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Barnala, which ranks 11 of 23 in Punjab for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 52.9 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on secondary school enrolment in classes 9 to 12 at 85% and class 9 pupils at grade level in maths at 66%, while it lags on youth unemployment aged 15 to 29 at 16.8%.