In a bid to equip students face the challenges of life, especially against the backdrop of growing atrocities, the Department of General Education is gearing up to introduce health education and life skill for students from classes I to XII from the next academic year.
It will be implemented after obtaining consent from the State Curriculum Committee.
“We are planning to introduce life skill learning, aimed at developing the overall physical, mental and social development of each child and equip them to protect themselves,” said Director of Public Instruction A Shajahan.
Designed by the State Council Educational Research and Training (SCERT) it is an age-appropriate programme with handbooks for teachers and workbooks for students.
“The programme will help students to identify their role in family, school and society, acquire skills for responsible behaviour, better communication and interpersonal relationships.
It will also help in critically analysing the safety of students in society, school and family.
The importance of relationships, where and when to say ‘no’, self protection, developing a healthy and responsible relation among boys and girls are the major areas of concern,” said K A Hashim, director, SCERT.
Based on the 10 life skills defined by the WHO, eight domains have been selected, namely, physical growth, personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, mental and social development, health and nutrition, safety, responsible behaviour and self management.
“The programme involves a 20-hour package for each standard.
Various activities have been included so that the contents of the syllabus not only reach students at the knowledge level, but also at the attitude, application and behavioural change levels,” Hashim added.
Students can analyse their strengths and weaknesses, maintain personal and social hygiene and develop good practices, identify own areas of interest and structure their day-today food habits.
They will also learn how to manage resources, including time and money.
In short, students can acquire skills on self awareness, empathy, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, decision making, communication, interpersonal relationship and coping with stress.