Assessment of Life Skills with Respect to Board of Education

Description

Page: 542-546

Thacker S., Rathi N., and Balapurwala A. (Department of Human Development, L.A.D. and Smt. R.P College for Women, Nagpur, Maharashtra)

Life skills are broadly defined as the competencies that support positive and adaptive behavior, enabling individuals to effectively cope with everyday demands and challenges. Life skills encompass abilities such as problem-solving, decision-making, critical and creative thinking, effective communication, interpersonal relationships, empathy, self-awareness, and strategies for managing stress and emotions. These skills are generally grouped into three categories: cognitive or thinking skills, social skills, and emotional skills. Adolescence is a very important developmental stage and a transition between childhood and adulthood, characterized by rapid physical, emotional, and psychological growth. Understanding the essential role of life skills in adolescent development, the present study was undertaken with the aim to assess life skills with respect to Board of education (State vs CBSE/ICSE). The sample of the study comprised 50 students from the 8th standard (aged 13-15) in Mumbai, with 25 each from CBSE/ICSE and State Boards. Stratified random sampling was used for data collection. Life Skills Assessment Scale (2009) developed by Nair, Subasree, and Ranjan was used for collection of data. In conclusion, CBSE students consistently found better as compared to State Board students across most life skills, including self-awareness, communication, creative thinking, problem-solving, and stress management, though both groups showed weaknesses in empathy and emotional coping.