Parents-teachers’ partnership in strength and value based education: Life skills module

Pages: 1249-1251
Anil V (Counseling Psychologist, Bangalore, Karnataka)

Our India has been a country with its roots in rich values and traditions. With the influences of westernisation along with globalisation and urbanisation, we are forgetting our very own values thus leading to finding a new self without the awareness of one self. The very first lesson been taught could be understood with this shloka “Vidya Dadaati Vinayam, Vinayad yaati Paatratam, Patratwad Dhanavaapnothi, dhanaad dharmam tat sukham” The meaning is Education gives Humility; Humility gives Character; from character one gets wealth; from wealth one gets righteous (dharmam) life; from righteousness gets happiness. But where is Education? Even if an individual is provided with education, how is it acquired? Humility and righteousness is something that one is unaware of. Thus, the challenge is to provide a structure to education which inculcates values in learning. Psychology though being a child in India, can play a major role in moulding budding individuals from the very school age and adolescent period. How can psychology influence young minds? Here plays the role of life skills – .’The abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life’. WHO has laid emphasis on ten generic skills that are considered as life skills and they are- critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, decision making, self-awareness, empathy, interpersonal relationships, coping with stress, coping with emotions and effective communication. Training of teachers to facilitate life skills in schools along with recruitment of psychologists and counsellors to impart these skills in training and workshop modes as well as organising seminars for professionals to be able to guide the young ones would be one of the better mediums in strengthening the values in individuals. The very thought would be connected to a value based education and resourceful atmosphere.