RATIONALE FOR INCLUSION OF LIFE SKILLS
IN THE CURRICULUM
Having life skills is an asset for any individual as it helps them portray positive behaviours in dealing with various situations the individual may face in their life journey. More and more in today’s world however many are not getting the skills necessary to perform and cope with the challenges the world puts before them. The trend of teaching content rigorously has placed emphasis on passing tests rather than developing individuals who would use gained knowledge and adapt and coexist in marriage with the rest of society.
By infusing life skills into the education landscape in a formal way, students will be able to gather a host of skills. The young today are open to a wide range of information from different sources. Traditional sources of passing on life skills such as the family and cultural factors are according to the world health organisation, no longer adequate because of the influences young persons are now faced with. Media influence as well as living in a more and more culturally diverse society makes the case that formal introduction to life skills into education needs to be done if we want to produce individuals with the skills to survive in today’s society.
The World Health Organisation has been cited as making the link with life skills and the health of an individual in the broad sense “in terms of physical, mental and social well being.” They therefore make the case also for the teaching of life skills.
The teaching of life skills will enable persons with the skills and competencies such as decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, Critical thinking, effective communication, self awareness, empathy and interpersonal relationship skills, just to name a few. Life skills will enable students/ individuals to “translate knowledge, attitudes and values into actual abilities” (Division of Mental Health and Prevention of Substance Abuse World Health Organisation, 1994). Acquisition of life skills helps us to sort out how we feel about ourselves as well as others and also will influence the way others perceive us because of our behaviour. Life skills also contribute to how we view ourselves in relation to our level of self efficacy, self confidence and self esteem. This being the case it has the power to promote proper mental health and thus will give us that extra push or motivation to proceed through life’s trials and journeys.
With so many distractions and temptations, the teaching of life skills will empower persons to make the right choices in relation to drug use, unprotected sex, peer pressure and various other social issues. Persons will be able to acquire decision making skills to help them make choices which would positively impact their health and wellbeing. Learning problem solving skills will help the individual overcome problems in life. By promoting creative thinking individuals will learn to see alternatives and consequences of their actions and decisions. Persons equipped with the skill of critical thinking will be able to analyse all sources of information and be able to act in the best possible manner. In a more global word communication skills is of grave importance as we need to express ourselves to a more diverse audience. Being able to interact with others effectively is also a key skill needed today and by helping students develop interpersonal skills they will be equip for the world of work and integration into society. It is also important to be self aware. Knowing what our beliefs are, our values, the ways we learn, our strengths and weaknesses can help us identify when we are entering our stress zone and therefore will empower us to take measures to curb any ill effects. In a world which is becoming more and more self oriented the teaching of life skills will develop empathy towards others and the environment and will help us look at the world in a different light where we accept others and value each other and our various roles in society.
By infusing life skills into the education landscape in a formal way, students will be able to gather a host of skills. The young today are open to a wide range of information from different sources. Traditional sources of passing on life skills such as the family and cultural factors are according to the world health organisation, no longer adequate because of the influences young persons are now faced with. Media influence as well as living in a more and more culturally diverse society makes the case that formal introduction to life skills into education needs to be done if we want to produce individuals with the skills to survive in today’s society.
The World Health Organisation has been cited as making the link with life skills and the health of an individual in the broad sense “in terms of physical, mental and social well being.” They therefore make the case also for the teaching of life skills.
The teaching of life skills will enable persons with the skills and competencies such as decision making, problem solving, creative thinking, Critical thinking, effective communication, self awareness, empathy and interpersonal relationship skills, just to name a few. Life skills will enable students/ individuals to “translate knowledge, attitudes and values into actual abilities” (Division of Mental Health and Prevention of Substance Abuse World Health Organisation, 1994). Acquisition of life skills helps us to sort out how we feel about ourselves as well as others and also will influence the way others perceive us because of our behaviour. Life skills also contribute to how we view ourselves in relation to our level of self efficacy, self confidence and self esteem. This being the case it has the power to promote proper mental health and thus will give us that extra push or motivation to proceed through life’s trials and journeys.
With so many distractions and temptations, the teaching of life skills will empower persons to make the right choices in relation to drug use, unprotected sex, peer pressure and various other social issues. Persons will be able to acquire decision making skills to help them make choices which would positively impact their health and wellbeing. Learning problem solving skills will help the individual overcome problems in life. By promoting creative thinking individuals will learn to see alternatives and consequences of their actions and decisions. Persons equipped with the skill of critical thinking will be able to analyse all sources of information and be able to act in the best possible manner. In a more global word communication skills is of grave importance as we need to express ourselves to a more diverse audience. Being able to interact with others effectively is also a key skill needed today and by helping students develop interpersonal skills they will be equip for the world of work and integration into society. It is also important to be self aware. Knowing what our beliefs are, our values, the ways we learn, our strengths and weaknesses can help us identify when we are entering our stress zone and therefore will empower us to take measures to curb any ill effects. In a world which is becoming more and more self oriented the teaching of life skills will develop empathy towards others and the environment and will help us look at the world in a different light where we accept others and value each other and our various roles in society.
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