Life Skill-A Dynamic Multi-dimensional Process Encompassing Human Development

Radhakrishnan T T

Abstract

Education has been regarded as both an end in itself and as a means of realizing other desirableends. It develops the personality and rationality of individuals, qualifies them to full files certaineconomic, political and cultural functions and there by improve their socio-economic status. Byunderstanding the world scenario the quality education and empowerment of youth are very muchneeded in the context of Globalization, Liberalization and Internationalization. An effectiveeducational system is an essential foundation to lead a decent life. The Indian youth is currently atcrossroads. India has been facing the challenges in providing quality education to the youth. Theissues of financing, management, equity, and relevance, reorientation of programmes for layingemphasis on values and ethics and quality of higher education all are of severe concern at the presentsituation. The mobility of skilled manpower increased with globalization and Indian education systemalso evolved into knowledge-based society. Demands of contemporary life, under privilegedparenting, dysfunctional relations, changing family structure, new perspectives of young people’sneeds, speedy socio-cultural changes all makes it crucial for a life skill education. The world healthorganization (WHO) defined life skill as abilities to face the day to day complex situationssuccessfully and adjust with them efficiently. It identifies ten life skills that are very much needed tolead a healthy and happy life, so that all the human resources can be utilized effectively andproductively. They are: Problem solving skills, Critical thinking skills, Creative thinking skills,Decision making skills, Effective communication skills, Inter personal relationship skills, Selfawarenessskills, Empathy, Skills to cope with emotions and Skills to cope with stress. Life skilleducation can help to improve the well-being of individuals. The life skills are to be developed in theprocess of education. This life skills enable a person to live his life effectively purposefully,successfully and meaningfully. When knowledge is learned passively, without skills, it is often learnedat a superficial level and therefore not readily transferred to new environments, deep understandingand accountability for the real world will occur only by embedding skills within knowledge domain,such that each enhances the other. In the present social scenario skills are the key to solvingeconomic, civic, and global challenges and to engaging effectively in those spheres, then we must actupon the belief that using those skills to overhaul our education system is possible.

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