Importance of life skills in
education
In a constantly
changing environment, having life skills is an essential part of being able to
meet the challenges of everyday life. The dramatic changes in global economies
over the past five years have been matched with the transformation in
technology and these are all impacting on education, the workplace and our home
life. To cope with the increasing pace and change of modern life, students need
new life skills such as the ability to deal with stress and frustration.
Today’s students will have many new jobs over the course of their lives, with
associated pressures and the need for flexibility.
Adolescence is a period when the intellectual, physical,
social, emotional and all the capabilities are very high, but, unfortunately,
most of the adolescents are unable to utilize their potential to maximum due to
various reasons. They face many emerging issues such as global warming,
famines, poverty, suicide, population explosion as well as other issues like
alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual abuse, smoking, juvenile delinquency,
anti-social acts, etc. that have an adverse effect on them and others too, to a
large extent. The cut-throat competition, unemployment, lack of job security,
etc. are some of the major concerns for the educated and as a result, they are
caught in the mad race. This new challenge requires immediate and effective
responses from a socially responsible system of education. ‘Education’ is
important, but education to support and live life better is more important. It
has been felt that life skills education bridges the gap between basic
functioning and capabilities. It strengthens the ability of an individual to
meet the needs and demands of the present society and helps in dealing with the
above issues in a manner to get desired behavior practical. Imparting life
skill training through inculcating life skill education will help youth to
overcome such difficulties in life.