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

Abstract

Education has been regarded as both an end in itself and as a means of realizing other desirable
ends. It develops the personality and rationality of individuals, qualifies them to full files certain
economic, political and cultural functions and there by improve their socio-economic status. By
understanding the world scenario the quality education and empowerment of youth are very much
needed in the context of Globalization, Liberalization and Internationalization. An effective
educational system is an essential foundation to lead a decent life. The Indian youth is currently at
crossroads. India has been facing the challenges in providing quality education to the youth. The
issues of financing, management, equity, and relevance, reorientation of programmes for laying
emphasis on values and ethics and quality of higher education all are of severe concern at the present
situation. The mobility of skilled manpower increased with globalization and Indian education system
also evolved into knowledge-based society. Demands of contemporary life, under privileged
parenting, dysfunctional relations, changing family structure, new perspectives of young people’s
needs, speedy socio-cultural changes all makes it crucial for a life skill education. The world health
organization (WHO) defined life skill as abilities to face the day to day complex situations
successfully and adjust with them efficiently. It identifies ten life skills that are very much needed to
lead a healthy and happy life, so that all the human resources can be utilized effectively and
productively. They are: Problem solving skills, Critical thinking skills, Creative thinking skills,
Decision making skills, Effective communication skills, Inter personal relationship skills, Selfawareness
skills, Empathy, Skills to cope with emotions and Skills to cope with stress. Life skill
education can help to improve the well-being of individuals. The life skills are to be developed in the
process 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 learned
at a superficial level and therefore not readily transferred to new environments, deep understanding
and 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 solving
economic, civic, and global challenges and to engaging effectively in those spheres, then we must act
upon the belief that using those skills to overhaul our education system is possible.